The Birkirkara 5k Running Series kicked off recently with a surprise win from visiting track athlete Martin Wvopio from Sweden who crossed the finish line in sixteen minutes and ten seconds.
Birkirkara St. Joseph favourite Keith Galea, who made a welcome return to the Series after an absence of one year, crossed the finish line six seconds later and fellow Saint Steve Chetcuti came in third in sixteen minutes thirty-one seconds.
Galea started off the race in the lead with Chetcuti and Wvopio hot on his heals, however half way through the race positions were changed with Wvopio picking up a steady pace to win the race.
In the female category La Salle AC athlete Tara Abdilla maintaining the lead from the start of the race over Mellieha AC athletes Rita Galea and Angele Sammut, who came in second and third in nineteen minutes eight seconds and nineteen minutes and twenty-nine seconds respectively.
A total of one hundred twenty athletes took part in the first Race of the 2015 Series, which was held on the Mtarfa Bypass, on a course that offers a bit of uphill’s, downhill’s and flat surface. Weather conditions were good with a gentle breeze helped mitigate the heat that was present during the day.
The Birkirkara St. Joseph 5K Road Running Series is held under the auspices of the Malta Amateur Athletics Association and the winner of the Series will be the athlete who garners the most points from all the three races ins the Series.
The next race is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 21st July at 19:00hrs. Athletes wishing to register can do so online (www.bkarastjoseph.com) or on Race day, thirty minutes prior to start of race.
Males Podium (L) to (R) – 2nd Place – Keith Galea (BSJ), 1st Place – Martin Wvopio, 3rd Place – Steve Chetcuti (BSJ)
Females Podium (L) to (R) – 2nd Place – Rita Galea (MAC), 1st Place – Tara Abdilla (La Salle) 3rd Place -Angele Sammut (MAC)
