Two events involving athletes currently taking place have made headlines, and are great examples of when athletes combine a challenge they want to overcome with a good cause.

A group of 35 cyclists with the NGO Alive Charity Foundation has embarked on a journey to cycle 1,300km, from Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela, with the intention of raising funds for cancer research.  Alive was set up in 2013 and has been raising funds for the Research and Innovation Development Trust (RIDT) of the University of Malta, which is assigned specifically to cancer research projects. It has raised, over the past ten years, €700,000.

Meanwhile, Neil Agius is set to embark on a world record attempt, and is trying to raise awareness about pollution and pollutants in seas and oceans. The issue of sea pollution is, of course, a global problem. Here in Malta, we have tried to tackle the issue of single use plastics, which are a huge pollutant for our seas. There is, of course, more that we can do. But raising awareness of the issues that sea pollution can cause to habitats and wildlife is an important cause.

Both of these athletic feats are not easy to take on and are extremely challenging. Both of these feats have great intentions in mind. It also takes a lot of courage, determination and commitment for those taking part.

The Malta Independent on Sunday spoke to one of the ALIVE committee members, who is also a cyclist taking part, in the cycling journey, Alex Meilak, who outlined their rigorous training programme.

"We average more or less around 350/400km every week. We follow a programme, so there are weeks when we cycle 200km, then there are weeks when we do 500km. I would estimate that we do around 20/25 hours of training every week in preparation for the event." Moving forward, he spoke very highly about how "mental preparation is very important and team spirit and interaction is extremely important for such preparation".

Undoubtedly mental preparation is equally important for such challenges.

There is absolutely no doubt that the training required for both the ALIVE team as well as Neil Agius – one which involves cycling and the other swimming, is intense, and we wish participants the best of luck on their journeys.

Malta has a number of athletes who undertake challenges for a cause or charity, and when athletes pair their sport or physical activity of choice with a good cause, it is of benefit to many.

Aside from raising awareness about a cause, their determination to challenge themselves is an inspiration to others. It also helps promote physical activity.

Over the years we have seen walks and runs organized for charitable causes, allowing people who might not be as athletic as those taking up these more strenuous challenges to take up a cause. Well done to all those who participate.