The third National Mountain Running Championships were held recently in Binġemma.

The event, held under the auspices of the Mġarr and Rabat local councils and Athletics Malta, was sponsored by Perskindol and supported by Perla Harghitei mineral water.

This year’s event saw an encouraging increase in the number of foreign athletes taking part.

The race was staged in a unique countryside setting over a distance of 5.6km with a continuous ascent of 139 metres and a slight descent of 35 metres, starting from Binġemma and reaching one of the country’s highest points at 240 metres in Kunċizzjoni, Rabat.

Duathlon champion Keith Galea (Birkirkara St Joseph) won the men’s race in a time of 20 minutes and 32 seconds. He was followed by 2014 champion Charlie Cilia (Agones) in 20:40.

Matthew Rota, the young AS Libertas athlete, was third after prevailing in a tight sprint finish with Melvin Mifsud (Żurrieq Wolves). Their time was 21:13.

Tara Abdilla (La Salle) improved from third place last year to the top step on the rostrum this time around as she won the women’s race in 24:10 to establish a new course record.

Last year’s winner, Carmen Hili (St Patrick’s AC) had to settle for second in 24:27 as newcomer Gianella Persiano Bugeja (Starmax) was a surprise third in 24:43.

Abdilla, Angele Sammut and Rota will be representing Malta in the European Mountain Championships in Porto Muniz, Madeira, on July 4. On the same day, Cilia and Hili will be making their debut at the WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Championships marathon in Zermatt, Switzerland.