NAME:
MARIA MALAI
DISCIPLINE:
TRAIL RUNNING
HOMETOWN:
ATHENS
CURRENTLY LIVING:
ATHENS
BIRTHDATE:
3/11/1989
Short bio, few words that define you as an athlete and as a person:
- 2000- now: track athlete Ilisos Sports team (3.000m steeple, 5,000m, 10,000m)
- 2012 -now: trail runner athlete
Passionate about nature and active lifestyle, nutrition, travel, cycling, mountaineering skiing, climbing and kayak.
When did you first start your discipline?
My first trail run was a bit of an accident, in 2012 my friends convinced me to try a trail race and I participated without telling my track trainer. This race was the beginning of love (and hate) relationship with the sport. Soon after, the mountains won me over and I have mostly competed in trails since.
What do you most enjoy about your sport?
I love being in nature and enjoy the changing landscapes, ridges and mountain tops. In trail running ascends and descends, and the changes in the course give me a sense of freedom and make me enjoy running without worrying too much about time.
What are your hobbies, profession outside of your sport?
I love adventure and all activities in nature
Who or what inspires you?
- Organized and disciplined athletes that do not give up
- Adventure and the unknown
Describe your perfect day:
To sleep and wake up in the mountains – if there’s snow go for mountaineering skiing with my friends and if there is not to run in the trails and to spend the rest of day eating, drinking and laughing.
Achievements & future projects:
Track & field athlete, 2000 – till now
Personal Records:
1500m – 4:46
3000m – 10:02
3000m Steeplechase – 10:45
5000m – 17:47
10000m – 37:50
Half Marathon – 1:25
Marathon – 3:19
Trail running athlete, 2012 – till now
National championship:
Sky running Greece 1st place 2014
Sky running Greece 3rd place 2016
Sky running Greece 1st place 2017
Sky running Greece 1st place 2018
2021
Red Bull Skalakia – 1st place
Olympus Marathon – 2nd place
Atromitos Sifnos Night Vertical Trail Run – 1st place
Atromitos Sifnos Trial Run – 1st place
Zagori Mountain Running 10 year anniversary 44km – 2nd place
Tzoumerka 21km – 1st place
Olympos Pourlia Trail 25km – 1st place
Spetses Mini Marathon 10k – 1st place
Spetses Mini Marathon 25km – 1st place
Castle Run Palamidio 5km – 1st place
Artemisio Mountain Running 26km – 1st place
Xeimoniatikos Enipeas 23km – 2nd place
2020
Hercules Marathon 34km – 1st place
1st Virtual Run AONM 10,000m – 1st place
2019
Zacup Skyrace – 17th place
Ursa Trail 40K – 4th place
Tihio Stage Race – 2nd place
Amorgos Trail Challenge – 1st place
Naxos Trail Race – 1st place
Hydras Trail Event – 3rd place
Taygetos Marathon – 2nd place
Monopatia Knossou – 1st place
Salomon Mountain Cup Parnitha – 4th place
Artemisio Trail – 2nd place
2018
Imittos Epic – 1st place
Oiti Hercules Marathon – 1st place
Ursa Trail – 1st place
Transylvania One Hundred 30K – 1st place
Tihio Race 30K – 2nd place
Monopati Parnassou – 2nd place
Naxos Trail Race – 1st place
Poikilo Rocky Mountain – 5th place
Taygetos Marathon – 1st place
2017
Imittos Epic – 1st place
AlpamayoPro TrailRace – 1st place
Oiti Hercules Marathon – 2nd place
Faethon Rupicapra – 1st place
Olympus Marathon – 8th place
Tihio Race – 2nd place
Monopati Parnassou – 3rd place
Hydras Trail Event – 4th place
2016
Xeimoniatikos Enipeas – 2nd place
Imittos Epic – 1st place
Off Trail Parnassos – 1st place
Olympus Marathon – 8th place
Tihio Race – 1st place
Monopati Parnassou – 3rd place
Taygetos Marathon – 3rd place
2015
Xeimoniatikos Enipeas – 2nd place
Gerania Vertical Kilometer – 1st place
Tihio Race – 1st place
2014
AlpamayoPro TrailRace – 1st place
Oiti Hercules Marathon – 1st place
Olympus Marathon – 2nd place
Hydras Trail Event – 1st place
Taygetos Marathon – 1st place
2013
Paranesti Path – 1st place
Gerania Vertical Kilometer – 4th place
2012
AlpamayoPro TrailProject (skalakia) – 3rd place