Swimmer Neil Agius this afternoon completed a gruelling 70-kilometre swim around Malta in just under 22 hours in an event aimed at raising awareness on the menace of marine litter.
While Agius made it in under the 24-hour goal - in 21 hours, 52 minutes and 54 seconds to be precise - his companions Gilbert Bartolo and Richard Zerafa almost accomplished the lofty goal. Zerafa fell after 20 taxing hours and was hospitalised and kept under observation, while Bartolo threw in the towel after 22 hours due to of exhaustion.
In addition to the environmental aspect, the swim also intended to promote sports and health, highlighting the importance of leading an active, healthy lifestyle through sports activities for people of all ages.
The idea is that the swim around Malta would be one event of a number of events taking place during a week-long or weekend of events/campaign. Such events would consist of: several cleanups around Malta, teaming up with several NGOs to organise educational campaigns about waste reduction; teaming up with schools to organise activities for kids/summer schools, such as cleanups by the beaches; and teaming up with Malta Tourism Authority to promote a cleaner, greener tourism.
The organisers yesterday thanked Zanzi Homes and Quicklets QLZHfoundation “for their generous financial contribution to cover so many expenses involved here. Without them this would have never taken off”.
The Emergency Response Rescue Corps “for their support along the 70 kilometre route and a big shout out to all their crew for the amazing assistance provided throughout this busy summer season”.
Saracino's for the food provided to all support crew on the day, Leap Nutrition for the supplements and for the feeds for the swimmers both during all the training and also the swim.
They also thanked Go&Fun Green Energy Drink Malta for providing energy drinks and other products to the helpers on the boats, Garmin Malta for sponsoring the communication equipment and special thank went out to Transport Malta for its support.
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Photo by Round Malta Swim 2018