New National Mountain Running Champion

Hi Everyone

On the 23^rd May the Malta Mountain running Association under the Auspices of the MAAA and the Mgarr Local council organised the 3^rd National Mountain Running Championships. The Race consisted of an uphill route of 5.6km from Bingemma till Kuncizzjoni.

The Race look to be a tight battle between myself and last year’s Champion Charlie Cilia. I went into the lead right from the start settling his usual fast pace. No one could keep up with my pace at first. After 2km I realized that I opened a good gap so decided to push more to increase his advantage. However since I did not knew the course well, I was cautious to keep some energy for the last kilometre. At this point Cilia tried to close the gap I managed to master my advantage well and went on to win these championship for the first time in my career in 20minutes 32 seconds. Cila finished 2^nd in 20.40 whilst Libertas’ Matthew Rota finished 3^rd in 21.13.

A week later I was on the starting line of the Mosta 10km. This race is special for me as it is held in my home town and it passes from the streets I used for training and also passes in front of my house where I grew up. I was not expecting much as I had really tired legs as it was at the end of a hard training week. I started at my usual fast pace trying to stay with Malta’s top runner Andrew Grech. I managed to stay with him for 2km and then I settled in my own pace. A group of 5 runners was 30 seconds behind me. I was feeling the efforts of the training done so I controlled my pace and pushed to keep those 30 seconds. In the end I managed to hold on to my 2^nd place in a time of 34.27.

A week after I also took part in the first race of the Birkirkara St Joseph 2km Swimming Series coming 5th overall in 28.54. Although the race was at end of a hard week before baku I am pleased that I managed to stay with much faster swimmers than myself till the end. It was a a very hard race because the pace was very sustained. There was a lot of confusion especially when we were lapping swimmers and it was very difficult to keep up the momentum but I am happy especially because I felt strong and light in the water and its a positive sign for the season

I am really happy with both races especially the Mountain Running race since I was crowned National Champion. Since it was the first time to participate is such a race I was surprised that I came out of the race at the winner. When I found myself first alone with a good lead, I gave everything he had to maintain his lead till the end. In the Mosta 10km I am pleased with my 2^nd place. I wished to go under 34mins but I was asking too much from my tired body. However it was still a positive time for a training race. Both races prove that I am in a good form for the European Games which are going to be held in Baku Azerbaijan next week.

I would like to thank my borther coach Dermot Galea, my swimming coach Catalin Stan, my nutritionist Johanna Calleja, my masseur Owen Attard, my parents and my wife’s parents, my brother in law Neil Galea and his wife, my sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Bike PARTS Malta, Starbene 24/7, Mochika Outdoor Life, Challenge Malta Marathon and Jaycee Malta, his club Birkirkara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon Federation, the Malta Sports Council and the Maltese Olympic Committee for the continuous support. Most of all a big thanks goes to my wife Elizabeth whom without her I would have never achieved such great results.

That's all for now

Yours in Sports

Keith