For Maltese long distance runners there are few events as important as the annual Malta Marathon and Half-Marathon.
Traditionally, this means that in February most of our top local are focused on doing well in these particular runs.
Earlier this month, some of the runners had an opportunity to boost their preparations with a high altitude training camp in Font Romeu, in France, which was supported by Athletics Malta and the Maltese Olympic Committee.
“This year we have the Games for the Small States of Europe in Iceland as well as the European Games in Baku so the MAAA and MOC are doing their utmost to provide athletes with the best possible assistance,” Ivan Rozhnov, one of the two coaches selected to support the athletes at Font Romeu, explained.
“The selection process was based on pre-established cut-off times at 800m for middle distance and 5,000m for long distance runners,” he added.
Accordingly, the team was made up of Simon Spiteri, Neil Brimmer, Matthew Croker, Dario Mangion, Christian Luke Chetcuti, Andrew Grech, Mark Herrera, Charles Cilia, Clive Gerada, Giselle Camilleri, Lisa Bezzina, Francesca Borg, MonaLisa Camilleri and Carmen Hili.
Mario Micallef was the other coach who made the trip.
Rozhnov maintains that there are real benefits to be gained from such experiences abroad.
“When training at high altitude there are huge changes in the physiological adaptation of long and middle distance runners,” Rozhnov said.
“It happens in just a matter of days. Of course, the longer the period, the bigger the impact.”
Indeed, some of the world’s top athletes visit the same area in order to conduct their own altitude training as Rozhnov confirmed.
“Some serious contenders like Paula Radcliffe (world record holder for the women’s marathon) and Mo Farah (double Olympic Champion in 2012) as well as many others have prepared for major competitions by going to Font Romeu,” Rozhnov said.
“The training at altitude is, of course, a lot different to training at sea-level. Middle distance runners were training at higher speed and longer recovery while the long distance runners were doing more distance with lower intensity and shorter rest in between.
“The commitment of the athletes at the training camp was remarkable. We were training twice a day following a strict regime.
“Breakfast at 7:30am, first training between 9.30 and noon at which point we had lunch and a short rest. Then, the second training session would be between 4 and 5.30pm. Then rehabilitation in the sauna, dinner, a daily meeting and by 10 most would be asleep.”
The result of that hard work is being seen and for the athletes who were included in this trip the benefits are already showing.
“Dario Mangion did a personal best on 3,000m and the best result in Malta in 2015 on the track. Lisa Bezzina also had a similar result.
“MonaLisa Camilleri improved her time from December by 40 seconds and Giselle Camilleri set a national record indoor. Matthew Crocker also enjoyed a very good 800m,” Rozhnov contended.
“We also saw great results in the Malta Marathon. Andrew Grech set a personal best and was first Maltese in. Mark Herrera and Clive Gerada were first and second in the half marathon.
“This trip will definitely transform their form for the track races in March. All of them really appreciated the effort of the MAAA and MOC in helping them maximise their potential.
“We are now looking forward to the coming season and those selected will surely benefit from a training camp like this.”