The ups and downs of an Austrian charity triathlon

Running through the cheering crowd on the finish line of a 200-kilometre triathlon in Austria was almost as rewarding as collecting €10,000 for charity through the race.

"The last 100 metres of the race are an adrenaline tap that makes even those on 'dead' legs pick up their pace and stand up straight. The cheering is deafening and you cannot but raise your hands in triumph as you cross the finish line, hoping to God the photographer's equipment is working and he gets the right shot that gives you the bragging rights," tri-athlete Nathan Farrugia recounted.

Mr Farrugia was among the nine Maltese athletes who completed the triathlon in Austria earlier this month to raise funds for Inspire Foundation.

The funds will be directed into the foundation's adapted sports programme, with the ultimate goal of helping disabled athletes compete during the London Paralympics in 2012, explained Mr Farrugia, who is Inspire's chief executive officer.

As he relived the experience, Mr Farrugia noted that the Austrian landscape was an appropriately beautiful setting for the culmination of six months of preparation for the tough challenge.

Getting to the race venue a few days before was ideal as the team managed to settle in. On the morning of the race the team was at the racing venue at 5 a.m. to check their bikes and equipment.

The first challenge of the triathlon was the 3.8-kilometre swim and, as hundreds of athletes made their way into the water, the first metres felt like swimming in a washing machine.

"A couple of our athletes ended up with elbows in the face and bruised bodies," he recalled.

On completing the swim, he climbed out of the water through a steep ramp with the help of volunteers.

"It's not advisable to start stripping off your wetsuit here, as the traffic is a little like Msida in rush hour. Find your bike bag off the rack, strip off your wetsuit and don your helmet. I swam in a two-piece tri-suit under my wetsuit so my transitions where relatively fast," he advised future tri-athletes.

Once on the bike, the winding exit was exhilarating with hundreds of people cheering cyclists on and into the 180-kilometre ride. "Supporters spray-paint well wishes on the floor, which are fun to read. Once in open roads the scenery becomes breathtaking," he said as he thought back to the beautiful "killer" hill he cycled.

As he approached the end of the second challenge he dropped gear and spun the bicycle's cranks to feed his tired legs with much needed blood and oxygen.

After racking the bike and removing his shoes, he carried them to the bag where a volunteer helpfully kept it open while he sorted himself out. A few minutes later he realised he was still wearing his cycling gloves, which he then chucked over the fence to a volunteer and yelled "bag 944", which is where he later found them. It was time for the final challenge: the 42-kilometre run. The biggest problem with the run was the heat but Mr Farrugia's regular mid-day training in Malta prepared him for it.

"Thankfully, 10 kilometres from the finish, it started raining. This meant I didn't need to stop at every station to squeeze sponges over my head and I picked up the pace a little. My legs seemed ok although they screamed 'Stop' during the occasional ramps and small hills."

The final two kilometres were lined with spectators and the athletes could hear the racket emanating from the finish runway. Adrenaline kicked in and, in crossing the finish line, they were wrapped in a space blanket and led to the Ironman Dome.

"Many were collapsed on benches around the tent while others queued for a free massage. There was free food and drink in the form of cola and pizza. The pizza made the one from Maxims pastizzerija seem like caviar but after all those sweet gels I forced down during the race, something savoury was welcome, I suppose.

"However, I refrained from eating as my stomach was not up to it. Water was sufficient but I longed for a beer," he said.