Team Malta showcased their talent and determination in the challenging World Mountain and Trail championships held in the stunning backdrop of Stubai, Innsbruck, Austria.

Amongst the world's best 1,400 athletes, the Maltese athletes delivered strong performances, surpassing expectations and securing an impressive 25th place overall.

With their outstanding achievements, they triumphed over larger and more mountainous nations, proving their mettle in rigorous races.

In the up/down 15km race, featuring over 1000m of ascent, the Maltese male team trio, comprising Luke Micallef, Simon Spiteri, and Jake Fenech, demonstrated exceptional skill and endurance.

Luke Micallef, Malta's Mountain Running Champion, finished an impressive 55th among top-class runners from around the world.

Simon Spiteri's noteworthy accomplishment deserves special mention, as he also competed in the 7.1km vertical race just days before, securing 71st place with a phenomenal uphill sprint finish.

Mark Pace and Jake Fenech also put forth commendable performances, finishing 110th and 113th, respectively.

In the women's Classic Vertical 7.1km race with over 1000m ascent, Rachel Borg, Malta's Mountain Running Champion for 2023, exhibited her strength and determination, securing 83rd place.

Giselle Camilleri, making a comeback after a 9-year absence, delivered a solid performance, finishing 89th and surpassing athletes from countries such as the USA, Australia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Rachel Borg continued her impressive display in the women's 15km up/down race, finishing 81st.

Ultra trail runner Ryan Farrugia faced a formidable challenge in the 45km trail race with over 3000m elevation. Despite the difficulty, Farrugia demonstrated his skill and endurance, finishing 112th out of 172 athletes with a remarkable time of 5 hours and 47 minutes. He surpassed renowned trail running athletes from 25 countries, including Japan, Australia, Greece, and Slovakia.

The participation of Team Malta in this prestigious international event was made possible with the support of Malta Mountain and Trail Running, an organisation affiliated with Athletics Malta. The team was accompanied by Team Leader Gerald Grech and Coach Ivan Rozhnov, who provided guidance and encouragement throughout the championships.

Well done to all athletes!