Malta Triathlon Federation has teamed up with SmartCity Malta to organise an off-season Duathlon which will be held on Sunday 10th November. 

The race which will consist of one distance , starting off with a 5K run followed by an 18K cycle and ending with a 2.5K run. 

The course, which is slightly technical and undulating will be held on the SmartCity Malta premises and its environs. 

In order to encourage more participation relay teams, consisting of a runner and a cyclist are being encouraged to sign up. 

Kids and youth races will also be held on the same route but on shorter distances. This race is part of the Malta Youth Triathlon Academy’s programme but will be open to all interested children aged between 6 and 16 years of age. 

“Triathlon and multisports has really picked up a good momentum and whilst the 2013 season is officially over and we are gearing up for the forthcoming season, we feel the need to keep organizing multisport events” said Cyprian Dalli, President of the Malta Triathlon Federation. 

“The objective of this event to give triathletes the opportunity to remain in race mode as well as encourage new comers to the sport, whether undertaking the full distance or forming a relay team. We are grateful to SmartCity Malta who are supporting this event and assisting us with logistics on the day”.

“As an international work-play-live business township concept, with localized practices, SmartCity Malta’s support to the Malta Triathlon Federation is in line with its commitment to promoting a healthy work-life balance” said Mr. Anthony Tabone, CEO of SmartCity Malta. “The project’s vision mingles work and employment with lifestyle and leisure, thereby ensuring that both office workers and visitors at SmartCity Malta maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle”.

More information on the SmartCity Malta Duathlon can be found on www.triathlonmalta.org or by visiting the Malta Triathlon Federation on Facebook or send an email to info@triathlonmalta.org.

After 17 years of being a triathlete, after years of being Malta topmost triathlete, and after 7 years of chasing the dream to qualify for the most celebrated triathlon race in the world, National Triathlon Coach Dermot Galea has reaped the dividends of his cocktail of talent, dedication, commitment and passion by wrapping up the Ironman World Championship race in 10 hours flat - the first ever Maltese triathlete to partecipate at this world-stage.

It was a race to remember for the Maltese topmost triathlete. A very solid swim saw him pushing himself across the 3.8KM of Hawaiian sea in exactly 60 minutes. A hit in the face during the initial stages of the swim didn't stop him from doing a formidable first part of the the bike-leg where he kept a steady pace of over 36kph for the initial 140KM. Then the notorious Kona winds arrived, slowing the last part of the cycle, which saw him finishing the whole 180KM of the cycle in just over 5 hours and 17 minutes.

The marathon run started strong for Galea. Half-way through the run he slowed down a little but the running average was strong throughout and he kept pushing the limits until the final dash for the Finish Line, wrapping up the race in 9 hours 59 minutes and 57 seconds (official time stated as 10 hours flat).

Tired, but extremely happy of the result, Dermot had this to share:

'Thanks a lot to all of you who watched the race and supported me yesterday and during my preparation for the Ironman World Championships. It was such an exciting day, and also rather eventful. I must say that the lead up to this race in the last week was not a brilliant one yet this morning I felt good. I am very pleased with the result. 

I just want to thank my fiancee' Johanna for supporting me not just today but also in the past 7 years chasing this dream, she gave up a lot for me!! Also our parents and families (my parents’ support in my sporting career has been amazing!!), my club Birkirkara St. Joseph,Euchar Camilleri, Starbene Shop, Bill Livingstone and Pam Batchelor  for their help and support in achieving this dream and throughout past IRONMANs, Deano Huub, Triathlon Malta  and all the committee in particular Cyp Dalli who has been updating all day, my brother Keith who has been a good training buddy, my athletes in particular Barry Farrugia who has been key in my sessions prior to IM Switzerland, Neil Agius for the good early morning swim sessions, all my friends and all those out there who supported me'.

With this feat, following his myriad of successes and impressive results, among which an unsurpassed 10 times National Triathlon Champion, Dermot Galea claims a deserved place not only as the most successful Maltese Triathlete ever, but as one of the most impressive athletes in the history of sports in Malta.

In adverse weather conditions yet in dominant fashion, Michelle Vella Wood and Keith Galea claimed the National Triathlon Championships in style in an exciting, drama-filled race!

Kieth Galea was home in 2:03:20, followed by Fabio Spiteri in 2:06:17 and David Galea in 2:08:31.

It took Michelle Vella Wood 2:11:44 to cross the Finish Line, followed by former Champion Danica Bonello Spiteri in 2:14:52 and Under 23 talent Hannah Pace in 2:17:39.

Jesper Mortensen & Caroline Zammit claimed the Over 40 category, while Joseph Cortis and Marian Belsten won the Over 50 Category.

Wayne Spiteri and GB's Michelle Scott claimed the top spots at the Sprint Distance, with Denise Buttigieg being the first Maltese female in the same race.

To each and every participant - a huge well done!

(Photos below courtesy of Mr Edward Enriquez)

Race Coverage - by Maria Vella-Galea

Over 80 athletes took part in today's BBB-Buff Malta National Championships, racing in either the Standard (1.5k swim, 40k cycle, 10k run) or the Sprint Distance (750m swim, 20k cycle and 5k run). The race, which took place in adverse weather conditions,  saw current National Champion Keith Galea retain his crown and National Duathlon Champion Michelle Vella Wood crowned new female National Triathlon Champion, breaking Danica Bonello Spiteri's seven year unbeaten reign.
 
Galea won his third National Title, retaining his crown for the second year running winning the race in a time of 2:03:20. Leading from the word go, Galea suffered what could have been a major setback due to a puncture in the cycle leg. This however did not adversely affect Galea's performance even though he had to stop and change tyre in transition. Galea kept the lead and won comfortably with a four minute advancte over second placed Fabio Spirteri who clocked in an overall time of 2:06:17. Third place was secured by veteran David Galea who was fresh from his Age Group win in the Vulcano Standard Distance Triathlon in Sicily last weekend.
 
In the females' category, Danica Bonello Spiteri had a fine showing in the swim, coming out of the water a good 20 seconds before contendors Michell Vella Wood and Hannah Pace, but Vella Wood started to narrow the gap in the bike segment and over taking Bonello Spiteri in the run to win the title in 2:11:44. Vella Wood's win today showed her consistency in her performance throughout the season which saw her also clinch the National Duathlon Championships and the B'Kara St. Joseph Sprint Series. Bonello Spiteri crossed the finish line after 2:14:52 securing second place. U23 Triathlete Hannah Pace had a fine showing clocking 2:17:39 a securing a podium finish in what was her third Standard Distance race of her triathlon career.
 
In the Sprint category, the males' podium saw newcomer Wayne Spiteri win his first race clocking a time of 1:04:51. Graham Borg, who was also still fresh from a successful showing in the Vulcano Standard Distance in Scily, came in second place in 1:07:13 despite suffering a nasty fall due to the wet slippery roads. Mark Micallef came in third place in 1:09:31.
 
Michelle Scott from Great Britain, pipped Denise Buttigieg to first place in the Female Sprint category with only a two second difference in what was a very closely fought battle. Margaret Seguna, returning to triathlon after an injury came in third place in 1:21:11 thus ending her season on a very good note.
 
 
"As predicted the National Championships did not disappoint. From a participation level we had a record number of entries, from an athletic perspective we have seen a number of personal best times being registered and spectators were given the opportunity to watch some high level triathlon" said Cyprian Dalli, President of the Malta Triathlon Federation. "The National Championships are the culmination of the season of which we are satisfied with on many fronts. We hope that the growth our sport has enjoyed this season will continue to grow as the Federation now starts gearing up for the forthcoming season"
 
The Prize Giving ceremony took place immediately after the race and carried out by Mr. Mario Micallef, Director of Sports Malta Olympic Committee and Dr Stefan Buontempo, Parliamentary Secretary for Research & Innovation, Youth and Sports.
 
The Malta Triathlon Federation is greatly indebted to its partners and sponsors without which help the organisation of such events would not be possible - BBB Bike Parts, www.buffmalta.com, Garmin Malta, MZ (Marketing) Ltd, Flora Pro Active, Western Union Business Solutions, Pringles, Attard Bros, B'Kara St. Joseph Sports Club, Go&Fun, The Cyclist.