From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find għawm (swimming) events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Following the success of the past Comino swimruns, we are back with this year's edition to swim and run around the little island of Comino!
SwimRunning is a PAIRS EVENT and combines short swims and trail running in beautiful scenery in an intermittent sequence. Yep, you run, then swim, then run and swim and so on, over the course carefully mapped out by our experienced XTERRA team to give you a sporting experience like no other!
The XTERRA SwimRun compliments the Triathlon and Trail Running XTERRA events in Malta and Gozo. Since we’ve covered Malta and Gozo already, the SwimRun event will be held on the island of Comino, one of our islands most iconic nature reserves, that continues on the XTERRA philosophy of challenging yourself in nature.
DISTANCE AND ROUTE
The event is a sprint distance with a total swim of 2km and total run of 8km (approx) with the longest swim section of around 600m.
The event caters equally for seasoned swimrunners competing for the top spots and also for the newcomers to the sport who compete for the experience and to challenge themselves!
The run route will therefore be held on designated pathways and not extreme trail.
CREATE A TEAM!
As in the SwimRun tradition, individuals need to buddy up and participate in pairs ie you start and cross the finish line together with both of you swimming and running the course. The team’s finish time is counted when both participants cross the finish line. Unlike purely individual sports, SwimRun gives an opportunity for mixed gender teams to compete as well as single gender teams, and for friends to have a great time training and participating together!
You must participate in teams of 2. If you don’t have a buddy yet, post in the Facebook Event on the XTERRA Malta page and you're virtually sure to find one :)
Once you are a team of 2, the first person needs to CREATE A TEAM and choose a TEAM NAME. The second person then needs to JOIN A TEAM and choose the TEAM NAME from the dropdown menu.
BOTH ATHLETES NEED TO REGISTER AND PROCESS THEIR PAYMENT TO CONFIRM THE TEAM
WHAT TO WEAR:
Some basic equipment is advised, including tri-suit or tight-fitted sportswear, wetsuit if you wish, and swim goggles and regular running or trail shoes, preferably ones that drain easily as you will need to swim with your shoes and clothes...Paddles and swim buoys are allowed, but not mandatory
AWARDS
All participants will receive a finisher's medal, swimcap, t-shirt & winners of each category ie Male Team, Female Team and Mixed Team will get an XTERRA Malta Trophy each!
Event details and schedule
SCHEDULE
07:00 Check-in at Marfa/ Cirkewwa - Exact location will be announced closer to date
08:00 Boat departs SHARP
09:00 Drop bags in designated area and walk to START
09:30 Race START
11:30 Trophies given to winners
12.30 Return Boat to Marfa
SwimRun in Comino is a mix of continuous alternating running and swimming over a 9Km distance, with the swim part consisting of around 20% of the total distance over 4 or 5 swims.
The race starts and ends with a run!
RULES & REGULATIONS
Teams must be of 2 persons. They must start and finish each segment of swim or run, and cross the finish line, as a team.
Team members must be 14 years or older. Under 18s must partner with an 18+ buddy.
Teams with both members under 18 may participate if both are at least 14 years old, with official parent approval and consent acknowledging that they have done multisport before.
Teams must wear the swim cap provided by the organisers. A wetsuit is allowed but not mandatory.
Paddles and swim buoys are allowed, but not mandatory
Shoes must be worn throughout.
Tops (or trisuits) must be worn throughout by all participants.
Race marking will be made on exposed hands/arms or legs
No equipment can be discarded.
Xterra Run Signs & Tape mark the route - marshals are there for safety & support, NOT to direct, so pay attention to the signs!
Flags mark entry and exit from sea - you must enter or exit the sea within 10m of these flags, not further.
Marshals en route may check your number and report any short-cutting or littering, leading to disqualification.
Route may change and exclude some swims if weather is bad.
No equipment can be discarded.
DO NOT THROW GELS OR CUPS anywhere on the route, doing so will result in immediate disqualification.
No External Assistance allowed
Trophy for the first finishers in each category: Male, Female and Mixed team