For the second time in this year’s edition of the Birkirkara St. Joseph 5k Road Running Series, it was a foreign athlete, this time from Portugal, who clinched first place to win the second race of the series in a time of sixteen minutes and five seconds. Bruno Lima, who runs for the British athletic club Salford Harriers, managed a comfortable victory, following a couple of early challenges by the Birkirkara St.Joseph athletes.
Birkirkara St. Joseph athlete Keith Galea came in second, in a time of sixteen minutes forty one seconds after a hard fought battle with Lima, who sprinted to the finish in an amazing show of strength, in the sweltering conditions experienced by the athletes. Young Simon Spiteri (St. Patrick’s AC) fought a hard battle with Steve Chetcuti (Birkirkara St. Joseph) both fighting to claim, what became evident, the third place on the podium. However , Chetcuti’s valiant efforts were not enough and in the end it was Spiteri who crossed the finish line in third place in a time of sixteen minutes forty nine seconds.
In the female category La Salle AC athlete Tara Abdilla, winner of the first edition of the seasons, did not race paving the way for a another female athlete to claim first place. With the likes of veteran athletes Rita Galea, Carmen Hili and Francesa Arrigo taking part, placings on the podium were open and a final sprint from Carmen Hili saw her take the better of Rita Galea (Mellieha AC) to take first place in a time of 19 minutes 19 seconds. Rita Galea followed three seconds later. Third place was claimed by Angela Satariano (AS Libertas) in a time of 19 minutes 45 seconds.
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 in the Series.
The third and final race of the Series is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 18th August 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.
Male Podium (L) to (R) – 2nd Place – Keith Galea (BSJ), 1st Place – Bruno Lima (Salford Harriers), 3rd Place – Simon Spiteri (St Patrick’s AC)
Female Podium (L) to (R) – 2nd Place – Rita Galea (MAC), 1st Place – Carmen Hili, 3rd Place – Angela Satariano (AS Libertas)
