Two Maltese runners competing in gruelling Marathon des Sables

Two Maltese athletes Andrew Abela and Thomas Cremona were on the starting line of the epic desert race Marathon des Sables which is once again being held in the Moroccan desert following various postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the seven-day race, athletes run a total distance of 250km split into various stages across the desert.

Participants have to carry their own supplies including food, camping materials, and survival gear along with water rations supplied by the race organization.

The two Maltese athletes have had mixed fortunes on Day 3 of competition, which saw participants tackle the longest stage of the multi-day race with an 80km stretch across the desert.

Andrew Abela is in great form and after the third day of competition he has managed to climb to 24th place.

On the other hand, Thomas Cremona needed to receive treatment for some severe blisters. He also had to be given additional water supplies which led to a 6-hour-15 minute penalty dropping him to 643rd position.

However, he fought back and managed to claw himself back to 492nd position.

However, on the third day of the race, Cremona was forced to retire from the race.

The two athletes have been continuously monitored and advised by their coach Kevin Zammit who has been guiding them in their preparations all along.

Zammit has already successfully guided other Maltese Marathon de Sables participants in the past namely athletes Steve Chetcuti and Daniel Agius who had completed the gruesome challenge placing 75th and 368th out of 934 participants in the 2018 edition of the race.