Courses

The Challenge Malta Open Water Swim Course is one of the most spectacular in the Mediterranean Sea. It is triangle-shaped with two laps of 950 metres swimming clockwise. Athletes enter the water from the boat ramp at Bahar ic-Caghaq and swim 5-10m for a deep water start. The crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea provides perfect swimming conditions for all athletes. Traditionally the water temperature is a mild 19 degrees, therefore wetsuits are required. The course has ample viewing points making it completely accessible to spectators.

The bike course is a multi-lap circuit with four laps along the beautiful coast road looking out over the Mediterranean Sea. The course is a hilly route with 892 metres elevation providing the perfect challenge. Leaving transition, athletes will start the route up the main hill of the course along the Coast Road. Once the crest of the Coast Road has been reached, the bike course takes a left turn down towards the Pembroke area. The route takes a U turn at this point, bringing the athletes back to the top of the Coast Road again. Heading back down the Coast Road provides athletes with a very fast section of the route. The route continues along the coast for another 5km, after which it heads inland for a long straight, to traverse back to the coast. At the end of this section of the route athletes u-turn again and head back along the same course to the start point in Bahar ic-Caghaq.

The run course provides everything an athlete would want. The run route is a point to point from the coast to the finish passing along the coast and heading towards Malta’s stunning 16th century capital. Once athletes have left transition, they head back up the Coast Road hill as previously cycled. Once at the top of the hill, athletes head back into the Pembroke area. Athletes then follow the coast road through the vibrant towns of St Julian’s, Sliema, Gzira, Ta-xbiex and Msida providing spectacular views and ample opportunity for spectators to cheer athletes on.
The race concludes in the stunning 16th century capital of Malta, Valletta. Athletes head up a long hill through Floriana towards the city gate with a flat fast sprint to the finish which is marked by the impressive Triton Fountain.