Maltese athlete running 365km around Sicily: ‘Mental Health Is Everything’
Maltese ultrarunner Steve Sammut Nurminen is on a mission to raise awareness about mental health, and plans to do so by running a 365km distance around Sicily.
To this end, it has partnered with Dr Klown, the Maltese NGO which provides assistance to hospitalized children through entertainment and laughter.
Next July, Steve will leave Syracuse and run to Trapani in a predicted two- to three-day challenge.
When completed, it could be the longest run ever completed by a Maltese citizen to date.
He will go the distance assisted by a sponsor, Pragmatic Play, and will be accompanied by a team of professionals to make sure of his well-being.
Steve will also have a live tracker for the benefit of anyone who wants to follow his journey remotely.
“On a personal level, I’m always looking to challenge myself and since I did the 110km run around Malta, I felt this was going to be the next step,” Steve told Lovin Malta.
“At the same time, I am a great advocate for mental health and I use these challenges to raise awareness on this subject as I feel that not enough importance is being given here in Malta.”
Calvary training is no joke, with the ultrarunner averaging about 80-100km per week, raising its mileage to 130-140km per week, in May.
“Mental health is everything – and I say this only through experience. I’ve spent a lot of my life going through a routine – work and sports during the week, partying and drinking over the weekend – and this has become a bad cycle for my health. “
“Strangely enough, it was thanks to COVID that I actually fell off this road! When the pandemic hit, we were forced to work from home and this gave me the opportunity to finally have that work-life balance that made me run consistently. I came in. ”
“It doesn’t have to be going on, it could be anything, but I think it’s very important to make time for yourself every day.”
The venture is not the first Herculean feat in the ultrarunner’s books.
Last year alone, Steve ran the length of Malta three times non-stop. A total of 110 km in 12 hours.
Calvary is ready in the middle of summer under the notorious heat and humidity of Malta’s summer.
His most recent run was the La Valette full marathon on 24 April. Although unfortunately, he had to come out due to a serious injury, especially considering the insane challenge he will be doing in less than three months.
“I tried to walk for 1km, but I didn’t feel well, and keeping in mind the July ultra run of Sicily, I didn’t want to jeopardize this week’s preparation for my final goal.”
Mark to show your support for this amazing initiative