‘I Hallucinated’: Here’s What It’s Like Securing A National Record At A World Championship
Maltese superhuman athlete Fabio Spiteri has described just parts of the gruelling world championship he embarked upon as part of his quest to raise €100,000 for animals in need.
“I was hallucinating slightly during the night due to lack of sleep. I finally managed to cross the finish line in 92 hours in fifth position at a world championship,” Spiteri told Lovin Malta while explaining that he only slept seven hours in four days.
Spiteri just completed the Bretzel Ultra Triathlon World Championships in France which is made up of a 19km swim, 900km bike ride, and 211km run which he already did two years ago. Besides securing a top position, he beat his time cutting it down from 111 hours to 92 hours and four minutes, breaking his own national record.
He placed fifth in Male overall in the world and first in his age group and he’s broken down exactly what that was like for Lovin Malta.
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“During the swim I felt really strong and swam in six hours and 13 minutes, getting out of the water in fourth position,” he began.
“During the 900km bike race, I felt really good and was determined to have minimal breaks. I was only stopping for ten minutes every four hours and slept two hours every night.”
Spiteri managed to cycle the 900km in 45 hours and 56 minutes – a staggering six hours faster than in 2022.
“For the first three marathons, I managed to run really hard but then fatigue and lack of sleep kicked in the last two marathons where I struggled to move forward. I was also hallucinating slightly during the night due to lack of sleep (seven hours in four days). I finally managed to cross the finish line in 92 hours in fifth position at a world championship,” he proudly recounted.
Despite these difficulties, Spiteri still managed to complete the 211km run in 38 hours and 44 minutes.
When asked about what keeps him going when the intense fatigue hits, Spiteri simply said: “I zoom out. All I think of is reaching the destination.”
Spiteri has dedicated himself to these incredible challenges since 2017 for one main reason: to help abandoned animals living on our islands because they’re often “neglected when it comes to fundraising”.
“We think about everyone except for animal welfare!”
So far, as part of his Project 100, Spiteri has been able to raise €18,000, but he still needs help to reach his target.
The money that he raises will be distributed in in medicine and food for 40 animal shelters and individuals, cat feeders, and 150 kennels for stray cats around Malta.
Next up, Spiteri has another ultra race called Italy Deca which he has left to conquer. It will commence in eight weeks time and consists of a 38km swim, 1,800km bike, and 422km run… only ten applicants from around the world have applied for this race.
If you want to help Spiteri’s cause, here’s how you can donate.
TYPE ” FABIO ”
Public donations via:
Revolut: +356 99816248
Paypal at [email protected]
SMS donations
€2.33 | 50617312
€4.66 | 50618075
€6.99 | 50618923
€11.65 | 50619260
Bank Transfer: BOV IBAN : MT40VALL22013000000050010082877
Well done Fabio!
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