Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/960495
maltatoday SUNDAY 1 APRIL 2018 Sports 52 TRIATHLON Xterra off-road Triathlon set to return Triathlon scheduled for Sunday, April 15, with a strong international Pro field. New for this year is the fun 5.5km trail run and a kids obstacle run on the 14th April THE 4th annual Xterra Malta off-road triathlon will make a wel- come return to the Maltese Islands on Sunday 15th April, when two hundred and sixty triathletes will undertake the course set in the re- markable Majjistral Nature Reserve. The crystal blue waters of Golden Sands Bay, the breathtaking cliff- edge trails and the family atmos- phere that the organisers bring to this tough challenge make this one of the most talked-about multi-sport races on the calendar. The race will consist of a 1.5km triangular swim on a 750m course, a 30km mountain bike course of two 15km loops that passes through the garigue area and alongside cliff edge trails in the Majjistral Park, whilst the 11km run is a two-loop 5.5km route on the Ġnejna plateau, over- looking Ġnejna and Riviera Marti- nique bays. Xterra Malta, forms part of the Eu- ropean multisport brand, which is present in 16 countries and provides top competition for professionals and amateurs alike. Throughout the weekend athletes are able to compete in multiple distances for all abilities and events for the entire family including trail runs and kids races will be hosted. Pro Athlete Line Up The 2018 edition will not only wel- come an added pool of Pro athletes but will also welcome back last year's top three male and female winners, as well as other athletes who have faithfully returned to Malta to race this circuit. Roger Serrano (ESP), and Brigitta Poor (HUN) will be going all out to retain their titles, whilst athletes such as Maximilian Sasserath (GER), Francois Carloni (FRA), Helena Erbenova (CZE) and Nicole Walters (GBR) will be at- tempting to gain a better placing than that obtained in 2017. Maltese Athletes Thirteen Maltese athletes will be undertaking the full distance. Most athletes are returning to the Xterra fold and include the likes of Danica Bonello Spiteri and Peter-Jan Grech who registered the fastest times amongst the Maltese athletes. An- other four athletes will be joining the race but undertaking the Sprint distance, whilst eight relay teams are made up of Maltese athletes. "The Xterra Malta Team has worked really hard to see more lo- cals take part and we are pleased to see representation growing slowly, especially with relay teams. We feel this is a great introduction to the sport, as many athletes undertaking a relay segment usually return the following year to do the full race" explained Xterra Malta Race Organ- iser Nathan Farrugia. "We are also very pleased to see many returning faces, especially from our interna- tional friends who keep coming back to Malta for this race". Age Group Winners will automati- cally qualify for the Xterra World Championships which are held an- nually in Maui, Hawaii in October. The route has been designed to be spectator friendly and organisers en- courage the general public to come watch and cheer on the athletes. Xterra Malta is made possible with the support of the Radisson Blu Resort, Cisk Excel, Garmin Malta, Credorax, Jeep, ProAction and The Cyclist. We are also grate- ful for the support and cooperation of Costa Coffee, Nirvana Europe, SPR Travel, MIB Insurance, emvigee pr & marketing, Scouts, Red Cross Malta, Malta Police Force, Mġarr Local Council, Malta Youth Triath- lon Academy, ERA, Mellieħa Lo- cal Council, Malta Mountain Bike Association, Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club, Agones SFC, ARRTS Timing, Majjistral Park Manage- ment, Melfar, Mdina Glass, VAM, Popeye Village, BirdLife Malta, Mellieħa Holiday Complex and all the volunteers. Xterra Malta will take place on Sunday, April 15 and will start with the swim segment in Golden Bay at 9:30am. Schedule of Events Saturday 14th April Xterra Fun Trail Run (5.5K) Registration: 8am @ Radisson Gold- en Sands Ballroom Start: 9.30am @ Scouts Area Each participant's time will be re- corded and medals awarded to every finisher Price: €15 per person, register online Xterra Kids Obstacle Course Registration: 9.30am @ Radisson Golden Sands Ballroom Start: 10.30am @ Scouts Area Age groups: 8-10 & 11-13 Medals awarded to every finisher Price: Donation Xterra Triathlon Registration 10am - 4pm @ Radis- son Golden Sands Ballroom Race Briefing - 4pm @ Radisson Golden Sands Ballroom Sunday 15th April Start of Triathlon @ 09.30 with Swim (Golden Bay) Finish on Golden Sands Terrace for Pasta & Beer Party & Prize Giving Ceremony For more information about the Xterra Malta Off-Road Triathlon please visit - http://www.maltaxterra.com/ or send an email to deirdre@maltax- terra.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY JPGATT Roger Serrano winner of Xterra Malta 2016