A group of Maltese endurance runners recently took part in the 30th World Mountain Running Championships which were held in Casette di Massa, Italy.

The course was lined up with spectators, including the many fans who turned up in huge numbers to give their support for the home team.

Uganda dominated the medal table winning the men’s race, both junior events and the men’s senior team ranking.

The Italian team won three medals: gold for the women’s senior team, bronze for the men’s senior team and silver for the men’s junior team.

In the men’s senior race, an 11.7km run with a 1.1km elevation climb, Charlie Cilia (Agones) was the first Maltese participant home ahead of Melvin Mifsud (Żurrieq) and Gerald Grech (Libertas).

Among those nations lagging behind the Maltese trio in the general standings were Russia, Canada, Turkey, Belgium, Hungary, Serbia, Belarus, Monaco, San Marino and Andorra.

The women’s race, where Malta was the only representative from the group of small nations, consisted of an 8.4km circuit with a 710-metre elevation climb.

Angele Sammut (St Patrick’s AC) headed the Maltese team past the gantry, followed by Carmen Hili (St Patrick’s AC).

The accumulated time in the final rankings placed the Maltese women ahead of those from Australia, Turkey, Canada, Serbia, Hungary, Israel, Belarus and Macedonia.

The Maltese group in Tuscany was supported by the Perskindol Malta sponsorship.