James Camilleri and Christopher Vella have written their names into Maltese endurance sport history after becoming only the third and fourth cyclists from Malta to complete the iconic Everesting challenge on Sunday, 7 December 2025.
Everesting requires riders to repeatedly climb and descend the same hill until they accumulate the equivalent elevation of Mount Everest, an eye-watering 8,848 metres. For Camilleri and Vella, that meant looping San Martin Hill in Mġarr an extraordinary 83 times, riding a total of 300 kilometres. Their effort took over 22 hours, with around half of that time spent riding in almost complete darkness, supported throughout by a small but determined group of family members and friends.
Both athletes form part of Team Fabio, led by world-renowned ultra triathlete Fabio Spiteri, who has built a reputation on tackling extreme endurance events across the globe and inspiring others to push their own limits.
“It is such a pleasure witnessing athletes growing both physically and mentally,” Spiteri said at the end of the effort, underlining the mental resilience required to take on such a demanding challenge.
For triathlete Camilleri, the successful Everesting attempt capped a remarkable 2025 season. Earlier in the year, he completed an Ironman in Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain, finishing in a personal best time of 10 hours and 47 minutes. Just two months late,r he lined up for a Double Ironman in Austria, where he secured a podium position for Malta.
“My first Everesting attempt was in Switzerland in 2022; however, I did not manage to complete it,” Camilleri explained. “Despite my disappointment, I took some important lessons from what happened and decided to try again. Everesting is tough, long and somewhat tedious, but I am so happy that I managed to accomplish it, rounding off the year with my third massive challenge.”
Vella’s journey has been equally impressive. He only took up cycling recreationally in 2022, before stepping up his training in 2024. In 2025, he tested himself at a prestigious Gran Fondo event in Switzerland in August and later tackled the half-distance category at the first-ever Everesting championship in Sicily in September.
“I became obsessed with the idea of Everesting shortly after I started cycling, but it always seemed like a bit of a pipe dream,” Vella admitted. “This year, I was hampered by a tough leg injury that put me out of action for some months. However, as soon as I was able to train again, I put this goal at the forefront, and it just spurred me on even further.”
“Being able to join the ranks of the elite athletes who have completed the Everesting challenge is nothing short of a dream come true,” he added.
On a quiet Maltese hill, far from the Himalayas but no less demanding in spirit, Camilleri and Vella have now climbed their own Everest and opened a new chapter for local endurance sport.
