A group of endurance athletes have just represented Malta at the European Mountain Running Championships in Arco di Trento, Italy.

The men’s race consisted of a scenic countryside loop from the Arco town square up to the imposing medieval castle with a total elevation of +/750m, covering a distance of 12.3km.

Charles Cilia (Agones Sfc), who had an excellent run in the 20km Cortina d’Ampezzo Skyrace this season, produced an equally impressive performance in Arco, cementing his status as the leading Maltese athlete in mountain running sport.

Cilia completed the race in 1:06.54. He was classified 60th overall.

Matthew Cutajar (St Patrick’s), runner-up in the National Mountain Running Championships, was making his first showing on the international scene.

He covered the course in 1:11.52, three positions behind Cilia.

In the women’s race, participants ran a shorter version of the same course with a total elevation of +/500m for a distance of 8.5km.

Angele Satariano (AS Libertas), runner-up in this year’s National Championships, suffered a fall on the second lap but fought bravely to finish in 47th place.

The team in Arco was accompanied by chef-de-mission Gerald Grech, chairman of the Malta Mountain Running Sub-Committee, and Ivan Rozhnov, Athletics Malta’s long-distance and cross-country coordinator.

The athletes were backed by the Perskindol Malta sponsorship.

The Maltese runners will now focus their attention on the World Masters Championships in Susa, Italy, and the World Mountain Running Championships in Bulgaria, next month.