Danica Spiteri and Dermot Galea retained their titles as Malta champions last Sunday after winning their respective categories at the ChooseMalta.com National Triathlon Championships which were held over the Olympic distance (swim: 1,500m; bike: 40km and run: 10km).
In all, 46 athletes, including 15 from the UK, took part in this year’s championships which were held on a cool and breezy day at the Salina Coast road.
The outcome of the men’s race remained unpredictable almost to the end, with Galea brothers, Dermot and Keith, dominating the cycle and run segments of the triathlon.
It was, however, Mark Zammit, who emerged first from the water but his gap of over two minutes was quickly eroded away by the Galeas who went on to battle it out between them.
In the end, the elder of the siblings, with eight titles to his credit, proved too strong an opponent and Keith, who had such an excellent series of races last summer in the UK and Belgium, had to settle for second best once more.
Dermot won the race in 2:03:33 as Keith finished just over a minute behind and Zammit a further two minutes back.
Contrary to expectations, the women’s triathlon proved to be a one-sided affair.
A combination of a slightly out-of-form Michelle Wood and a superbly in-form Spiteri, produced a result that was never in doubt in anyone’s mind almost from the word “go”.
Spiteri raced like one inspired and relentlessly pushed on to finish in 2:20:57. Wood had to be content with second place in 2:30:27. Donatelle Callus was third in 2:34:22.
Concurrently, the Malta Triathlon Association also organised a Sprint Triathlon which was won by Steve Pace, a relatively newcomer to the sport. He won in a time of 1:22:01. The first woman to cross the finish line was Ruth Debono, another rookie, in 1:23:34.
The Relay Team event was won by the trio of Joan Ellul (swimmer), Mark Vella (cyclist) and Greta Treeby (runner) in 2:40:39.
Trophies and medals were distributed by Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Clyde Puli and Jonathan Shaw, Managing Director of Inspire Ltd, the firm that operates ChooseMalta.com.
The association was assisted by Joseph F. Spiteri & Co, Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club, the Malta Tourism Authority, Plum Tree Restaurant and Kristal Water.