FKT Submission: Round Malta Coastal (Anticlockwise)
Run Details
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Route: Round Malta Coastal Perimeter
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Direction: Anticlockwise
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Style: Supported
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Start/Finish Point: Xemxija (Ice Cream Kiosk)
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Date: December 12, 2025]
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Start Time: 16:35
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Elapsed Time: 24hours 11 minutes
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Distance: 139km
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Elevation Gain: 2326m
The Team
Core Runners (Full Route):
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Frank Fenech
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Elisa Azzopardi
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Stephen Farrugia
Support Runners/Pacers:
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Charles Camilleri (Cirkewwa to Marsaxlokk)
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Mark Mifsud (Gnejna to Dingli)
Trip Report & Narrative
Start: Xemxija to Cirkewwa. We set off at 16:35 from the Ice Cream Kiosk in Xemxija. Our strategy was to adhere strictly to the coast as much as possible. As we approached Ghadira, we lost the daylight, settling into what would be a long night of running.
Checkpoint 1: Cirkewwa Our first aid station was located next to the Hotel at the tip of Cirkewwa. We utilised this stop for basic calories and hydration. Here, we picked up our first pacer, Charles Camilleri, who joined the core team.
North-West Coast: Cirkewwa to Dingli Leaving Cirkewwa, we hugged the cliffs anticlockwise towards Popeye Village and Ghajn Tuffieha. Navigating the clay slopes in the dark required focus as we made our way to the next station at Gnejna Bay.
At Gnejna, we refilled flasks and picked up our second support runner, Mark Mifsud.
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Route Note: Between Gnejna and Dingli, we opted for a safety deviation. We were not confident in navigating the "gap" at Blata tal-Melh in the dark/current conditions. Consequently, we routed through Kuncizzjoni and Bahrija before reconnecting with the cliffs.
Checkpoint 2: Dingli Cliffs Dingli served as our critical "night station." Knowing we had a significant stretch of unsupported running ahead (approx. 6 hours), we loaded up on extra water and fuel. Mark Mifsud ended his segment here.
South Coast: Dingli to Marsaxlokk Heavy with supplies, we pushed towards Ghar Lapsi, walking the majority of the technical trail until we ascended towards Zurrieq. From the heights of Zurrieq, we descended into Birzebbugia.
The weather turned on us near Birzebbugia; rain began to fall and persisted for roughly an hour until we arrived at the fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
Checkpoint 3: Marsaxlokk. This was a significant morale station. We changed out of our wet clothes and replenished our supplements. Charles Camilleri finished his support leg here.
The Harbours: Marsaxlokk to Paola Now back to the core trio, we ran the Delimara peninsula and followed the coast up to Marsascala. We navigated the coastlines of the Three Cities—Kalkara, Birgu, Isla, and Bormla—eventually arriving at our next aid station in Paola.
The Final Push: Paola to Xemxija After a full resupply in Paola, we ran towards the capital, Valletta, tracing the bastions before heading to Pembroke.
We descended to Bahar ic-Caghaq for our final, shortest aid station. With the end in sight, we ran the Coast Road, passing through Bugibba and San Pawl, finally closing the loop back at the kiosk in Xemxija.
Acknowledgments
This effort would not have been possible without the "Supported" style logistics. A massive thank you to our families who manned the stations, keeping us fed, hydrated, and motivated through the night and rain.