Nicholas Pullicino Makes Maltese History With 100‑Mile Finish at Istria UTMB

Nicholas Pullicino has written his name into Maltese endurance history after successfully completing the 100‑mile Istria UTMB ultra‑trail race in Croatia, one of the toughest events in the UTMB World Series. Covering approximately 169km with more than 6,400 metres of elevation gain, Pullicino crossed the finish line after an extraordinary 31 hours of continuous running.

His performance placed him 115th overall and 12th in the highly competitive 20–34 age category, standing out among hundreds of international athletes who took on the demanding course. In doing so, Pullicino also became the first Maltese athlete ever to finish this prestigious and notoriously challenging race.

The Istria UTMB is known for its brutal climbs, technical terrain and relentless physical and mental demands. Pullicino’s achievement highlights not only exceptional endurance but also remarkable determination and resilience.

For Maltese ultra‑running, his finish marks a significant milestone and an inspiring moment for the local endurance community.

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