Double Ironman Fabio Spiteri is upping the game and attempting a Triple Ultra Triathlon - a feat no other Maltese triathlete has succeeded in doing so far.
Held in Lensahn, Germany between the 27th and 29th July, Spiteri will be joining 54 other athletes from all over the world to cover a distance of 11.4km swimming, 540km cycling and a 126.6km run. If the distances weren't dauting enough, the courses are covered on short loops that require a substantial amount of laps - for example the run course is a loop of 1.32km which needs to be covered 96 times!
Spiteri's training has been very specific in order to ensure that all facets of the race are covered - distance, night training, adaptation to being awake for more than 24 hours and of course well-being.
Spiteri, has a built a strong foundation for long distance racing having a considerable amount of endurances races on his CV having raced in seven Ironman Races, 21 Ironman 70.3 in the past five years.
Training for the Triple Ultra Triathlon included cycling round Sicily in three days - where he established a record in the process, several 11kms swim, regular 300km cycles and long runs clocking 70kms. The latest training session saw him run across Gozo, swim from Gozo to Malta and run from Cirkewwa to Birzebbugia. If long sessions on the road weren't tough enough, part of the mental preparation required for such a race included cycling for hours on end on a static bike.
"Training sessions need to be well thought out, not just from a physical preparation perspective but also logistical one - roping in friends and family to assist in the long hours of training, especially when one is out on the water or cycling and running in the dark, " says Spiteri. "At this point I feel I am ready for this. One can never be too confident as anything can happen on race day, but I will keep positive throughout keeping in mind all my friends who supported me, athletes who joined for some of the training sessions and of course my sponsors"
Despite all this, Spiteri takes this in his stride and also finds time to help in the fight against Animal Cruelty and raising awareness on the importance of clean seas and the destructive reality of plastic pollution.
Fabio Spiteri is being supported by Garmin Malta, Eurosport Malta, Wheel Wizard, Millennium Clinics, Mosta Tri Club, Festina, 24/7 Fitness Club, Go & Fun and General Automation Services.
Further race information and eventual results will be available on - https://triathlonlensahn.de/