Team Malta delivered a strong performance at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, securing 22nd place in the men’s Vertical Race and recording commendable results against world-class opposition.
The championships, which brought together elite athletes from across the globe, featured demanding courses that tested endurance, speed and resilience at high altitude. In the men’s 6.3 kilometre Vertical Race, which included a challenging elevation gain of 990 metres, Aidan Tanti of Evolve AC achieved Malta’s best result by finishing 105th overall. His effort saw him place ahead of competitors from Lithuania, Paraguay, Ukraine and Latvia.
David Borg of Gozo Atletix impressed on his debut in mountain running, finishing in 112th position, while Tommy Wallbank of Mellieha AC, the youngest Maltese athlete ever to compete at the championships, crossed the line in 113th place. Isaac Attard, also representing Gozo Atletix, completed the team effort by securing 116th position. Collectively, the Maltese team finished 22nd out of 27 participating nations.
On the final day of competition, Tanti continued his strong form in the 14.5 kilometre Mountain Classic Race, which featured an elevation of 750 metres. He finished 88th out of 141 athletes, outperforming runners from established mountain running nations including Switzerland, Argentina and Portugal. Attard also delivered a solid display, placing 119th.
The results mark an encouraging step forward for Maltese athletics, highlighting the team’s growing capability and determination in endurance sports. Competing against some of the most experienced mountain runners in the world, Team Malta’s performance in Canfranc reflects the continued development of the discipline within the national athletics framework.
