A group of long distance runners recently represented Malta in the 31st World Mountain Running Championships, held in Bets-Y-Coed, Wales.

In the women’s race, athletes had to tackle an undulating two-lap cross-country course of 500m uphill and downhill for a total distance of 8.9km.

Rita Galea (Mellieħa AC), the current leader of the National Road Running Championships, made her debut in international mountain running.

She finished in a creditable 58th position, beating athletes from Mexico, Hungary, Slovenia, Andorra and San Marino.

Next Maltese athlete was Carmen Hili who placed 63rd ahead of Angele Sammut (Mellieħa AC) in 64th position.

The senior men’s race consisted of an uphill and downhill 13km course.

Dubai-based, John Said (AS Libertas), who finished fourth in the National Mountain Running Championships, classified 111st in 1:06.58.

Charles Cilia came home 114th.

The team in Wales was accompanied by chef-de-mission Gerald Grech, chairman of the Malta Mountain Running sub-committee.

The Maltese athletes were supported by the sponsorship of Perskindol Malta (NM Arrigo).

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