Grech, Galea secure top billing on Birkirkara St. Joseph Eurosport Fleur-de-Lys podium

Birkirkara St. Joseph Eurosport Fleur-de-Lys Race wraps up hectic Club Calendar

Over 250 athletes were on the starting line of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Eurosport Fleur-de-Lys Race. The race, which is the last race of the Club’s racing calendar, has seen substantial growth over the last few years. In this morning’s race, 149 athletes undertook the 10k distance whilst 115 athletes ran the 5k route.

The Race also attracts popular and some of Malta’s top athletes such as Andrew Grech, Charlton Debono, Simon Spiteri, Rita Galea, Hannah Pace, Angele Satariano, Margaret Seguna and Michelle Vella Wood.

In the 10k distance, Andrew Grech stormed to a comfortable finish after leading the way throughout the route. This was Grech’s fourth consecutive win on this route. He was followed by Stephen Borg and Alan Camilleri who both fought a strong and determined battle to the finish with Borg pipping Camilleri to the finish by a few seconds.

In the females’ category, it was veteran runner Rita Galea who won top place on the podium, beating last year’s winner Margaret Seguna to first place. Although Seguna registered an improvement on last years’ time it was not enough to secure top place on the podium. Michelle Vella Wood was the third female to cross the finish line.

In the 5k Category, Charlton Debono continued to show his fine form to be the first male to cross the finishing line in a time of 15 mins 12 seconds. Debono has continued his consistent streak having recently won all the three segments of the recently held Eurosport Malta International Challenge Marathon as well as registering a personal best time in the MAAA 5km Road Running League Race recently held in Qrendi. Debono was followed by Dario Mangion and Simon Spiteri who took second and third place respectively.

In the females’ section Angele Satariano took first place – her first road race win after having returned to running two years ago. Satariano was closely followed by National Triathlon Champion Hannah Pace and third placed was Catherine Chetcuti.

“We are thoroughly satisfied to have finished 2016 on a high note. The Birkirkara St. Joseph Eurosport Fleur-de-Lys Race is our flagship race which closes off a very busy season for the Club. We have received many positive comments about our race calendar and the work the Club has put in to offer a good race experience for athletes has paid off” remarked Euchar Camilleri, Secretary General, Birkirkara St. Joseph. “We are very grateful to all our sponsors in particular Eurosport, with whom we have a long standing partnership and look forward to growing this partnership further in the coming year.

Trophies were presented to the winners by Fr. Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, which was the Club’s chosen official charity for this year.

Results

10k Males

10k Females

5k Males

5k Females

Photos Courtesy: Roberto Runza