Quick Facts
Athlete Introduction
Full Name
Bjorn Vassallo
Country/Nationality
Maltese
Short Bio
Im 37 years old and Ive always been involved in sports like football and used to take part in Birkirkara under 19s for four years and won the section A league on the decider against Pieta. After that, I was also involved in the Futsal national team as part of the technical staff and made a historical win in the qualifiers. Then, I decided to work on myself and returned to the gym whilst a friend of mine introduced me to Evolve Endurance Club. Im passionate about Inter FC since 1997/1998.
Athlete’s Stats
Discipline/Category
Long Distance Runner
Personal Bests
17:26 – 5Km
39:05 – 10Km
1:25:04 – Half Marathon
Career Highlights
Highlights
The memorable moment was definitely last year, the return after two bad injuries and finding family and friends who pushed me in achieving my goals, one step at a time.
Awards
N/A
Training and Mindset
Training
Every week, my coach sends me the training to perform during the whole week.
Coaches/Teams
Has Kesra / Evolve Endurance Club
Christian Bugeja / Support Mentor
Regarding mobility and technique, the person who guides me is Deborah Debono from The Running Lab Malta.
Motivation (quotes/thoughts/mindset)
My motivational favorite quote is ‘Patience, persistence and perseverance, make an unbeatable combination for success’.
Personal Touch
Hobbies/Interests
My hobbies are football, travelling, reading, farming, and spending time with my dog and birds.
Inspirations
My local inspirations are Dillon Cassar, Andrew Grech, Christian Bugeja, Charlton Debono and Luke Micallef.
My international inspiration is Eluid Kipchoge.
Questions
About Their Running Journey
When and how did you start running?
I started running in 2019 with Raptorz Athletics Club.
Do you remember your first race? What was it like?
My first race was 10k Mdina Edition and it was really an amazing experience.
Who has been your biggest influence or mentor in running?
My mentor is Christian Bugeja who supports and assists me with daily training sessions.
Training and Preparation
Do you work with a coach or create your own training plan?
I work with coach Has Kesra.
What`s your favorite type of training?
Speed sessions and long easy runs.
Do you use any technology or gadgets to track your training?
I use a Garmin watch together with the heart rate monitor chest strap.
Personal Records and Achievements
Are you working towards a specific running goal right now?
Yes, I`m currently working towards a half marathon goal in October.
What`s your dream race or bucket list event?
My dream race is the first full marathon which will take place in 2026.
Do you prefer road races, trail running or track events?
I like all three, but if I had to pick, I`d say road races.
Mindset and Motivation
Do you have a mantra or motto that helps you push through tough moments?
Absolutely one of my favorite mantras is “This two shall pass”. It reminds me that tough moments are temporary and that the perseverance lead to growth.
How do you balance running with the rest of your life?
Balancing running with the rest of life can be a real challenge, but it`s all about smart planning and priorities.
Do you meditate or practice mind fullness to improve focus?
Daily motivational speeches can be a powerful way to boost your mind set and keep you focus on your goals.
Community and Impact
Do you have any running partners or group to train with?
Running with a group can bring motivation and accountability. I would like to thank my friends Sarah and Joseph for training together on easy runs.
How do you encourage others to start running?
I encourage others to start running by highlighting its physical and mental benefits, reassuring that progress begins with small steps.
How has social media impacted your connection to the running world?
Social media has significantly strengthened my connection to the running world like motivation and inspiration, discovering races and events and learning tips.
Message
To all our running family, I say every step you take, every km you log, every early morning you lace up, it all adds up. Whether you’re chasing a PB, building back or simply running for the joy of it, remember that consistency beats perfection. Trust your training, stay patient, stay passionate. The best is still ahead. Let’s keep pushing together.
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