Ultra-endurance athlete Fabio Spiteri has just announced that he is pulling out of the 10-day triathlon in Brazil due to painful blisters and torn muscles.

That means Spiteri completed seven days, which all included a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride, and a 42km run, every single day – a feat which is still one to be commended. 

“Writing this with a heavy heart. After a solid seven days of racing (2nd overall standings) and sky-high determination, I will not be continuing my dream of completing the DECA, not this time around at least,” Spiteri said.

“Due to the painful blisters being present, I had to adjust my run yesterday to accommodate the pain, which inevitably caused even more damage to my quads, resulting in a slight muscle tear that immobilised me further from continuing.”

“Felt the tear during the last 20k of the run, where I had to walk the remaining 22k in what was a very painful and long last few hours.”

“By completing day seven, I have overpassed my last ultra challenge (quintuple Ironman) by an extra two Ironman races. So there is still some positivity to take away from this.”

“A kind reminder that just because my journey has stopped here, does not mean that my other goal has also stopped breathing.”

“As you all know, the main target of this challenge was to raise €100,000 towards animal shelters in Malta and Gozo, which those who know me well, know how much helping these innocent and loving creatures fulfills me.”

“As unfortunate as this is, it is nothing more than a bump in the road which I will use as fuel to continue to challenge myself in the near future and continue to raise even more funds for abandoned animals.”

“Please do not pity me as the abandoned animals require it more than I do since their suffering comes without a voice.”

He continued by thanking his support crew, Aidan Caro Spiteri-Caruana, his son, and Philip Cachia, his physiotherapist, for sticking with him throughout the highs and lows.

“Please keep donating,” he said.

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