Luke Micallef has established himself as one of the best Maltese athletes after he finished as one of the top Maltese runners on the middle distance at the European Cross-Country Championships in Turin. He impressively completed the arduous and hilly route of 9,572m in a time of 32 minutes and 58 seconds.

This is the best ever registered time by a Maltese athlete as these European Championships.

Luke’s impressive feat earned him a place among the best 70 European athletes in a field comprising some of the best names in international athletics.

These includes the Olympic Champion, Norwegian Jakob Ingebritsen who won this event for sixth time, as well as Emile Cairess, the current British cross-country champion, and Italian star Yemaneberhan Crippa.

Luke Micallef was however not the only Maltese athlete who had a successful run at the Championships.

In Piedmont, Gozitan athlete David Borg also had a strong performance, running for the first time at this level on a distance of 7,662 m, completing the hilly and slippery race in 28’32 in the Under 23 category, obtaining a respectable placing despite competing against athletes two years his senior.

Youngster, Gabriel Farrugia in the Under 20 category (5,722 metres) with a time of 19’54 finished ahead of established athletes from Spain, Switzerland, Croatia, Portugal, Denmark among others.

Well done to everyone involved!