On Sunday 16th February 2025 at 6:04am I started this adventure from Fra Ben in Qawra. It was still dark and windy when I started running, accompanied by a friend of mine Pawlu Zammit. I planned to run northbound so by sunrise I was already on the trails between Mistra and Selmun. After a little while, I was already in Mellieha Bay, ran along all the bay and then followed the trail by the old Mellieha Bay Hotel. Here I had to jump over some concrete blocks to remain as close as possible to shore but I did this with the security's permission, whom I had spoken to a day before with my intention. After following the trails through Ahrax point, at the chapel I started heading towards White Tower Bay and then around Armier and towards Marfa. I left the trails for a little while here and ran towards Cirkewwa and by Paradise Bay Hotel, I got back on the trails.
Now accompanied by Robert Formosa, we ran together towards Ras il-Qammieh and then to Anchor Bay. Walking up the hill towards Majjistral Park, another friend, Jemima, joined us for this segment. We ran altogether through the Majjistral Park and after a little hydration stop at Riviera Bay, we continued towards Gnejna Bay. More friends joined us and knowing that this was the hilliest part of the island, I was very happy to be in great company. From Gnejna, we went towards Fomm ir-Rih, stayed as close as possible to shore and then towards Blata tal-Melh. Here we had to jump over a little crack in the rocks and once this was over, my mind was more relaxed. The following 10km were spectacular: green trails, cliffs, no people and blue seas in the direction towards Migrah Ferha. At Ras id Dawwara we started the climb towards Dingli, the steepest one of the day. I ran this segment with Steve Chetcuti, Luigi and Clayton.
After a quick stop in Dingli, I continued in the direction towards Gebel Ciantar and down towards Fawwara and Ghar Lapsi. Jamie accompanied me on this segment and Nikola too. After a quick climb from Ghar Lapsi to Hagar Qim Temples, this meant the hardest bit of hills and trails were over. Now on the road and a quick change of shoes, I ran with Nikola towards Zurrieq, Wied Fulija and Hal Far. It was still afternoon and we ran a bit fast past this industrial estate to get to the last trails in daylight. Neville was with us on this bike here and really enjoyed speaking to him. Once we got to BBugia, we continued towards Mxlokk with some trails around Fort San Lucjan . From Mxlokk, we ran up towards Delimara and back on the trails from Kalanka towards St.Peters Pools, Hofriet and Xrobb l-Ghagin. At St.Thomas Bay we had another quick hydration stop and from here onwards I knew it was going to be pretty flat. I ran past Mscala with Nikola, the trails from Zonqor Point to Xghajra and back on the road towards Biegi and Kalkara. Nikola stopped here for a little rest but whilst running in Kalkara I found a friend of mine, Lindsey with her dog Daisy waiting to support me. I ran alone through Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua and the sun started to set here. The next segment was my least favourite: Kordin, Marsa and Albertown but before I knew it I was already in Valletta. Just past the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana, a very close friend,Ian, joined me. We ran together towards Sa Maison, Msida and Gzira: Nikola and Qorru Jr joined us here too. Just past Gzira, I found Jemima waiting to support once again and we ran altogether enjoying the views of the Valletta bastions lit up at night. The Sliema promenade was pretty fast, into St.Julians, St.Georges Bay and towards Pembroke. This was the last stretch of trails and even though it was already dark, I was calm cause I grew up running on these trails. In Bahar ic-Caghaq we found the support crew and many friends waiting to support, a quick hydration stop and onto the last segment: the coast road, Kennedy Grove and into Qawra. In this last segment, we picked up the pace a bit once again as I was on a high knowing I was soon about to close off this adventure. At the finish, I found my family, many friends, team mates and my coach waiting for me.
Indeed it was a great experience and I'd like to give a special thanks to my partner Claudia Cassar and my sister Sylvana Bezzina for being the most amazing support crew I could have asked for. The followed me althroughout the day to help with hydration, nutrition and change of shoes and shirt.
I would like to dedicate this run to my partner Claudia Cassar for her endless support and love. A special thanks also to ALL my family, my amazing coach/mentor Kevin Zammit, all my team mates at Team Qorru & runners and friends who joined to support on Sunday. And last but not least my dog Buddy for joining me on almost all my training runs.
The purpose for this run was to inspire others to live and run with gratitude, feed your mind positive self talk with confidence but not arrogance, and smile.