Malta Challenge Marathon sponsors top Maltese Distance Runners and Triathletes

Recently at the Square Café, PAVI Shopping Complex in Qormi, Barry M. Whitmore, President of the Malta International Challenge Marathon, invited his sponsored runners to a private meal and media presentation. At this dinner, the long term athletes that have been sponsored for a few years were, female: Angele Sammut and Carmen Hili (previous MCM winner) and male: Andrew Grech, Charlie Cilia, Clive Gerada, Keith Galea, Melvin Mifsud, Jonathan Balzan (previous MCM winner) and Simon Spiteri. Barry welcomed them all but more so, his two new additions to the team of Francesca Arrigo and Rodney Cassar. He also welcomed his VIP guests, Valerie Farrugia, MAAA representative and his Assistant and Course Race Director, Kevan Azzopardi.

All the sponsored runners received a Goody bag containing Ron Hill printed sportswear consisting of Running Jackets, Short sleeve and Long sleeve shirts, running vests, bottoms and shorts valued at approx. Euro 1,000. Barry thanked his sponsors Malta Nestle and Farsons who provided Vera Water, Nestle Fitness Cereal bars, San Michel Water and Gatorade on the table to drink at the meal and in all the Goody bags to take home.

Another part of Barry’s sponsorship package apart from Ron Hill Sportswear is his local race day hospitality at ALL road races and triathlons and a FREE race entry to this year’s Silver Anniversary MCM, the 25^th Nestle Fitness Malta International Challenge Marathon. They will also receive a discount on the entry fee to the 2^nd Gatorade Team Challenge Relay should they decide not to run the full “Challenge.

This year’s event takes place a week earlier than normal due to CHOGM being on the last weekend of November. The MCM will therefore take place on the 20^th 21^st and 22^nd November 2015 with a closing date when full but no latter than 12^th October 2015. For full details please visit our website: www.marathonchallengemalta.com or our facebook: entry@maltachallengemarathon.com.

3rd Maltese in Malta Half Marathon

Hi Everyone

Last Sunday I participated in the Malta Half Marathon. This race was my first target of the season. After coming 3^rd and 2^nd respectively in the last two years, this year I was targeting to finish the race as first Maltese. As usual I trained a lot and practiced the course many times in order to adapt myself to the course. However the race turned out to be very tactical among the top Maltese runners and against my characteristics. Weather was not that ideal as it was very windy all the way through with some heavy rain showers so personal best was out of the way

All the Maltese runners started together. We were a group of six at first running at a steady pace. None of us wanted to go in front and set a fast pace. No one even tried to go with the three foreigners in front. At half way point we were a group of four Maltese runners and all of a sudden it started to rain heavily. At the Mriehel by pass we really slowed down and I got so fed up with the pace that went in front and started pushing.

From there it started my race. I started to attack in all the uphills in order to go out from the group. However Mark Herrera and Clive Gerada where on top form . After the Marsa fly-over I attacked again and only Herrera stayed with me. Herrera attacked in the downhill before Valletta and I went straight after him. That was the moment I lost the race as my legs got stiff and heavy. I managed to stay with him and I attacked immediately on the uphill before ‘bieb il bombi’. Managed to open a few meters but Herrera managed to come back and attacked immediately at the sa maison downhill. I went straight after him but this time I could not stay with him

At this moment my legs got stiffer and heavier. I tried so hard to increase my speed but it was useless. I started to have cramps as well. At 2km go Clive Gerada overtook me as well. I could not run properly with my quads in such a bad state. I realised that even 3^rd Maltese was under threat. I really suffered in the last 2km. They were all pain but I was determined to get the 3^rd place at least. So I closed my eyes and gave everything I had left and at least managed a good 6^th overall and 3^rd maltese in a time of 1.14.18 and Birkirkara St Joseph finished 3^rd as a team

Although I did not get the first maltese, I am pleased with my performance. I played all my cards and the way it turned out the race I could not have done better. But I don’t have to forget that I am a triathlete and not a runner and on such distance runners have some advantages on me but it always nice that although I am a triathlete I am still able to fight for the win in the most important running race in Malta. I know I can win this race one day. It’s just a matter of time and patience. I did three consecutive half marathons, all fighting for the win. Now my coach and I have to analysis everything. See what was good and were we have to change and see which tactic is best to use next time

I would like to congratulate Mark Herrera for winning the first maltese for the first time in his career as he deserves it and well done to clive gerada for running such a great race. I would like to thank my brother/coach Dermot Galea, my swimming coach Catalin Stan, my masseur Owen Attard, my parents and my wife’s parents, my nutritionist Johanna Calleja, my sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Challenge Malta Marathon, Jaycee Malta, Starbene 24/7, Mochika Outdoor life, my club Birkirkara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon Federation, the Kunsill Malti Ghall-isport and the Malta Olympic Committee for the great support.

Most of all a big thanks goes to my wife Elizabeth Galea for her continuous support and for her patience. Without her I cannot achieve such great results as she is a big part of my inner strength. Thanks a lot to everyone. Now it’s time to focus on the next target.

That’s all for now

Yours in sport

Keith

1st in Dingli 10km

Hi Everyone

The Malta Half Marathon is getting closer and to continue improve my form with the aim to reach my peak for the big day, I participated in the 2^nd edition of the Dingli 10km organised by the Savio Athletic Club. We had to face a very challenging hilly course around Dingli with both start and finish at Savio Collage. There were some strong winds around the course which did not made things easier. 

I made my intentions clear right from the start as I went into lead settling a very fast pace. I was closely followed by my friend and National Polish AG 25-29 Triathlon Champion Piotr Yanuchefski. After 2km Yanuchefski could not keep on with my pace leaving me leading the race alone. Seeing myself in the lead of the race, I decided to continue to push to increase my lead

I was very surprised that my legs were very strong since I had a very tough week of training. It was very tough when running through the cliffs due to the strong winds but was happy that my legs were responding well and could keep up with a good place. I knew that I was going to beat the course record and managed to do so as I went on to win the race in a course record time of 35.08 beating the previous record by more than 6 minutes.

I am very pleased with my performance. I am very happy with my second win of the season and also with the time as it was a very hilly route and the wind was very strong especially when running through the Dingli Cliffs.  I am happy with my current form and am very looking forward for the forthcoming Malta Half Marathon in 2 weeks’ time. A very big well done to my friend Piotr Yanuchefski for placing third posting a strong time of 38.58 and also to my athlete Annetto Schembri for posting a new personal best time on such a difficult course

I would like to thank my brother/coach Dermot Galea, my swimmnig coach Cataloin Stan, my parents and my wife's parents, my masseaur, Owen Attard, my sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Jaycee Malta, Challange Malta Marathon and Starbene 24/7, my club Birkirkara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon Federation, the Kunsill Malti Ghall - isport and the Maltese Olympic Committee for the continuous support. 

Most of all a big thanks goes to my super wife Elizabeth for coming to support me again. Her presence at each and ever race and support is fundamental for me to give my best in every race. Thanks a lot to everyone, this win is also yours.

That’s all for know.

Yours in Sports.

Keith

Great start for 2015: First win of the season and Podium places in Road Running League Races

Hi Everyone

It’s been a long time since my last post. Well, I have been very busy as usual with training. After 2 months of just pure training building for this season, 2015 started on a very good note. November and December were focused on base training with the aim to strengthen my body and to get a lot of mileage in my legs as one of my main targets of this year is the Malta Half Marathon. During these two months I participated in 2 running races which were part of my training schedule so I was not rested well. I did the first stage of the Malta RELAY Challenge Marathon were I placed 3^rd overall and managed to cover the 11.195 in 39minutes. On the 13^th December I did the fleur de lys 5km organised by my club, Birkirkara St Joseph. Unfortunately I was sick for a whole week before the race but still decided to do it to support my club. In the end managed solid 4^th place in 16.50.

As I said before, 2015 started really well. On the 3^rd January I took part in the third race of the MAAA Road Running League which was held in Bugibba on a 5km loop to be repeated twice. I started fast from the word go, trying to hang on as much as I could with Malta’s top long distance runner Andrew Grech. After I realised that I opened a good gap on the group behind me I settled in my own place. It was very windy and it was hard to keep a good pace in a force 8 wind but in the end I managed to finish the race in 2^nd place in a time of 34.30

2 weeks after, I took part in the first race of the Multisport Season which was a sprint Duathlon, organised by Agones SFC at Half Safi. Weather was not that ideal as well as it was windy and the roads were a bit slippery due to some showers before the start of the race. The race was drafting so I knew it was a bit tricky. I went into the lead from the word go trying to get some advantage. I went into T1 with a 20seconds lead. On the bike I pushed more to increase my lead but, my team mate Steve Chetucti and Agones’s Fabio Spiteri were working together to catch me. Since I had a very small lead, I decided to slow down and we formed a group of three leading the race.

Seeing that I was the fastest runner in the group and that nobody was going to catch us, I decided to rest my legs for the final run. Few metres before the end of the bike I attacked as hard as I could which surprised both of my rivals and entered in T2 first. Thanks to a fast transition, I opened a good gap and continued to push in the last run to increase the lead and went on to win my first race of the season

A week after the Duathlon I took part in the fourth race of the MAAA Road Running League which was held at taqali. I used the same tactic as the previous 10km race, but my legs were tired due to the heavy training of the previous days. I was part of a group of five runners. Charlie Cilia of Agones made his move after 4km and I went with him. We were pacing really well and managed to open a good gap from the group behind us. At 1km to go Mark Herrera was fast approaching and was undecided if resting for the sprint finish for second place or continue pushing. Since Herrera had a very good sprint I decided to keep on pushing as I did not want to end up 4^th. I opened a small gap on Cilia and opened my sprint at 150m to go however it was not fast enough as Cilia passed me in the last 50m and finished 3^rd in 34.02

I am very pleased with my performance in all races. Since my main focus is the Malta Half Marathon, I could not rest for every single race so I raced with very tired legs. In the Duathlon I am pleased that my attack worked as it gave me the win and happy that I managed to win the race although am focusing more on running than on multisport events. The results I achieved in both 10km are better than expected which means that I am on the right track. At the moment I am third in the general classification of the Road Running League. I am still in contention for 2^nd place. If I came 2^nd at Taqali would have been much easier to get 2^nd place but now we will see what happens in the last race of the league in April.

I would like to thank my brother coach Dermot Galea, my swimming coach Catalin Stan, my masseur Owen Attard, my parents and my wife’s parents, my sponsors Garmin Malta, Jaycee Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Malta Challenge Marathon and Starbene 24/7, my club Birkirakara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon Federation, the Maltese Olympic committee and the Malta Sports Council for the constant support. Most of all would like to thank my wife Elizabeth for coming to support me in every single race even though she was very sick. Here support is very important to me and am lucky to have her as my wife.

That’s all for now,

Yours in Sports

Keith

Positive results in recent running races

Hi Everyone,

After winning my 4^th National title I had to extend my season for a month due to several running races. Since next year will be focusing a bit on running races, I had to do these races as they were part of the MAAA Road Running League. It was hard to race all these races as the National Triathlon Championships took a lot from my body. Normally after the championships I take a short break as it will be the last race of the season and my body literally stops as I will be feeling all the tiredness accumulated over the year

A week after the championship I took part in the first race of the MAAA Road Running League. It was a 5km road race at Siggiewi. The weather was very humid and I was feeling still tired. I did a mistake from the beginning as I started too fast. I went out with the top runners right from the start as I want to post a fast time. At one point I was third but at 2km to go my legs could not keep the pace. I was passed by 2 other runners. I tried to stay with them but I could not push more. In the end I finish in a good 5^th place and 4^th Maltese with a time of 16.46

A week later I was on the starting line of the Qawra 10km organised by Mellieha AC and Garmin Malta. This time I tried to pace the race better. I was feeling better than last race but still my legs were not 100%. I was battling for 2^nd place for most of the race until 3km to go my legs were again without energy. I fought with myself to keep up with the other 2 runners but my legs simply could not push more. In the end I finish in a good 4^th place in 34.48

Shortly after this race I was on the starting line of the University 5km Ring Road Race organised by the University Sports Club with the proceeds going to Malta Hospice Movement. I felt the need to support this race as my brother’s wife was part fo the organisation team and it’s good to help others who are in need. I was not looking for a great race as this race was 2 hours after the 10km. I went out fast to settle the pace. I noticed that the others were suffering to keep up with me so after 1km, I decided to attack and do my own race. Funnily enough I felt really good and strong. I was increasing my advantage with every stride. Although I was feeling the efforts of the 10km, I was still strong to push to the limit as usual. I won the race in a course record time of 16.45 with my brother coming 2^nd in 17.23. After the race we both participated in the University 5km Ring Road Race Relay as part of the DGtri A Team composed by the athletes coached my brother. We won the race to make them 13 wins for me in this season

A week later I was on the starting line of the 2^nd race of the MAAA Road Running League which was a 5km at Maqluba. Before the race I was very sick as I had a very bad cough and my body was in severe pain after the efforts of 3 races in one day. My coach and I decided to have  few days off and do very light training in order to recover for the race. Luckily I was fully recovered for the race. I went out leading the race with two other runners. We set up a very fast pace. I did everything I could to stay with them. I managed to do so and I was feeling so well that at 2km to go, I made my move and attacked but did not managed to open a gap. At 1km to go the other 2 made their move. Their change of speed was awesome. I tried to stay with them but they were too fast. I finished the race in a great 3^rd place in a personal best time of 16.13

I am very pleased with these performances especially the last 5km runs were I posted very fast times. I was surprised that I managed to do a personal best in the last race and I am happy that I always placed in the top positions among the top Maltese runners. It was a good ending to a great season and a great way to go on a deserved break where now I can have some quality time with my wife.

I would like to thank first of all my wife Elizabeth for coming to support me for all these races, my brother/coach Dermot Galea, my swimming coach Catalin Stan, my parents and my wife’s parents for the support they give me in every single race, my masseur Owen Attard, my sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Starbene Sports Nutrition, Malta Challenge Marathon, Jaycee Malta, the Malta Triathlon Federation, my club Birkirkara St Joseph, my Kunsill Malti ghall- isport and the Maltese Olympic Committee for their constant support.

That’s all for now

Yours in Sports

Keith

Malta Champion for the 4th time

Hi Everyone

The Triathlon Calendar came to an end on Sunday 12th October with the Grand Final, The National Triathlon Championship, the most important race of the year. I trained hard for this race during the last summer. The training I had to do through was so demanding that in my life I never trained so hard before. At one point I was training close to 35 hours a week and training this amount of hours in the heat we had was very hard but I was determined to end the season with some great performances

I started the swim as usual going immediately in front and trying to open a gap. I knew it was going to be a bit more difficult as there were no relay team swimmers to push with so I had to do all by myself. I was feeling strong and was swimming really well. I decided to push as much as I could in the swim to open a good gap on my nearest rivals whom were going to give me some tough time. I completed the 1.5km swim in a good time of 21.29

We had to run a lot to go to transition area. I really sprinted to T1 and change as fast as I could as I wanted to gain more seconds. I started the bike immediately at a fast pace in order to get immediately in the pace. It was a complete different route from the usual coast road at the aharax tal mellieha. I lapped a lot on the race course during this summer as the course did not suited my characteristic so I knew what pace I had to go in order to leave some energy for the bike. I was keeping an average of 37.5km/hr which was the pace I settled to keep before. At 15km to go I was starting feeling a bit tired. I was feeling the energy I had before and my rivals started closing the gap. I kept calm and kept on with my pace till T2

As I started the run, I was not feeling that energetic as I wished. I don’t know why but I was feeling my legs tired. However I was running a respectable pace and tried to keep up with it. It was very hot and the humid conditions were killing me. I think that is why I was feeling a bit without energy. I tried to hydrate myself and concentrate on my pace. I noticed that I was gaining ground again on my nearest opponents. To try and push myself more and forgot the tiredness I had in my legs I used the backmarkers as an aim to run faster.

In the end I managed to win my 4^th National Triathlon Title. I won the race in 2.06.01 with the fastest run of the day of 37.38. It was a hard and a very tough race and the humid conditions did not helped me. I pushed so much and fought with myself in order to push more that soon after the race I was not feeling so well as my blood pressure went low. This race is so special for me as it was after the 1998 championship that I decided to start triathlon and winning the race that I love most for the 4^th time is simply amazing. It was a great season for me winning the Triathlon titile for the 4^th time, the Duathlon title for the 2^nd time, the Aquathlon title, the BSJ Series title for the 7^th time, the triathlete of the year award for the 6^th time (equalled my brother’s all time record) and represented Malta at the Commonwealth Games.

All this was only thanks to my brother/coach Dermot Galea who is a great honour for me to follow the footsteps of the best ever Maltese Triathlete, my swimming coach Catalin Stan whom under his guidance we improved my swimming a lot, my parents and my wife’s parents for the support they give me in every single race, my masseur Owen Attard, my sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Starbene Sports Nutrition, Malta Challenge Marathon, Jaycee Malta, the Malta Triathlon Federation, my club Birkirkara St Joseph, my Kunsill Malti ghall- isport and the Maltese Olympic Committee for all the support they gave me throughout the whole season.

Most of all I would like to thank my number 1 supporter, my wife Elizabeth. She is the only person who knows what I have been through this summer. She was by my side during the heavy training I had to do though. At one point I was training 35hrs a week and sometimes I was training even if my body was knackered but I was so determined to win the last races of the season with some great performances that I wanted to go through that pain. I managed to do all the session I had thanks to my wife who was by my side helping me in everything. Thanks a lot my love, love you so much. Without you I am lost. You are the Adrian I always wished to have. Love you my “Adrian”.

Thanks a lot for Now

Yours in Sports

Keith

7th Heaven

Hi Everyone,

The season is coming to an end soon and we are now in the final races of the 2014 Triathlon calendar. Last Sunday I was on the starting line of the last race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series. My intention was to have a solid result and try to post the fastest splits in all the disciplines and trying to win the fourth race out of four races of the series.

The weather was much better than last time although there was the chance of rain during the race. I started the 750m swim as usual setting a fast pace trying to keep up with the relay team swimmers. At one point both swimmers were going off direction and so I decided to keep on swimming on my own. Soon after they noticed their mistake and joined me. We kept on pushing a relatively fast pace to come out of the water in 10.37. It was a very good time considering that the water was very choppy

After a not so good transition I started the 20km bike segment at a very strong pace. I wanted the fast bike split today and at the same time hoping that my legs will be able to run fast after the bike. Although I had a comfortable lead at the start of the bike, I pushed hard and still managed to extend my lead. I covered the 20km in 32.53 which was the best bike split of the day which I am very pleased of as it was the first time this year I had the best bike split.

In the 5km run I tried to go faster, trying to increase my lead. I managed to do so as I noticed that my gap was increasing in the first two laps. In the last lap of three I could not go faster as my legs were feeling the previous efforts. Still managed the best run of the day in 18.42 to win the 10th race of the season in 1.03.30 which is a new personal best on the course with a non - wetsuit swim

Seeing my performance, one could say that I had an easy and perfect race but there is always room for improvement. I know I can run faster because in training I am doing fast times and I have to improve my transitions as I need to be faster. In triathlon every second counts. Still I  m pleased with my performance and that I won the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series for a record of seven times in my career

I would like to thank my coach Dermot Galea, my swimming coach Catalin Stan, my parents, my wife’s parents, my sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Jaycee Malta, Challenge Malta Maraton and Starbene Shop of Mosta, my masseur Owen Attard, my club Birkirkara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon Federation, the Maltese Sports Council and the Maltese Olympic Committee for their constant support

I would like to thank the club Birkirkara St Joseph and all its helpers for once again organizing a successful and professional series. We know that this year we had to change venue due to the work in progress at Salina. I can imagine the hassle that club and everyone involved had to go through in order to give us not only the usual standard but a better one than these last few years even if we had to race on a different route. THANKS A LOT BSJ……

That’s all for know

Thanks for following my blog. I really appreciate

Yours in Sports, 

KEITH