The Maltese cross country national team has set off for Brussels to compete in the 29th edition of the European Championships this Sunday.

Malta will be represented by Luke Micallef, Charlton Debono and Shaun Galea in the male open category as well as by Lisa Bezzina and Rachel Borg among the women.

Micallef and Bezzina are the current national cross country champions, having won the national championship race held in Marsa last month.

David Borg will compete in the Under 23 event, while the contingent’s youngest athlete, Gabriel Farrugia will be running with the Under 20s. Both athletes have recently won the national title in the respective age category.

The athletes will be competing at Laeken Park, among some of the best European talent, not only in cross-country but also in wider athletics, including Italian stars Yemaneberhan Crippa and Nadia Battocletti as well as Belgian Isaac Kimeli.

The open category will be running a route of 9km, while Under 23s and Under 20s will compete on a distance of 7km and 5km respectively.

The Maltese delegation is headed by Vince Farrugia, an Athletics Malta Council Member, and supported by Coach Gerald Grech.

The team’s present at this European Championship has been made possible through the support of Sport Malta and the Malta Olympic Committee.

Good luck Team Malta!