In-form Galea, Mifsud Bonnici win to take early lead

The first race in the series of triathlon events, organised by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club and sponsored by Red Bull, as part of the national triathlon championships was held last Sunday at Golden Bay and the Xemxija/Ghajn Tuffieha route.

This event developed into a keenly-contested affair between Birkirkara St Joseph`s top triathletes with Dermot Galea emerging the overall winner. Maria Mifsud Bonnici managed to register a very good time to win the ladies` category.

Young Mark Zammit was first to emerge from the 750m swim in 9 minutes 23 seconds, followed by Galea and Maltese-Australian Manwel Falzon, who was making his debut in this year`s championships.

Team-mate Nicky Farrugia dominated the bike segment with a powerful 20km cycle in 30 minutes 59 seconds, placing himself second behind Galea.

The elite four places, though, were decided during the 5km run segment of the race. Galea consolidated his lead, opening a gap of one minute 17 seconds on the chasing group to win in 57 minutes 43 seconds.

Farrugia was overtaken by both Falzon and Zammit. The latter was unable to maintain the momentum and Falzon duly capitalised, finishing second in 59 minutes, one minute 41 seconds ahead of Zammit. Farrugia finished fourth in one hour, one minute, six seconds.

In the ladies` race, Marylynn Bezzina was unable to emulate her performance in her last International Triathlon as she failed to seriously challenge club-mate Mifsud Bonnici. The latter had already seized a sizeable lead by the end of the swim, starting her 20km bike at 11 minutes 53 seconds. She cycled for 35 minutes 27 seconds and then completed her 5km run in 19 minutes 19 seconds for an overall time of one hour six minutes 39 seconds.

Second-placed Bezzina crossed the finishing line in one hour 13 minutes 19 seconds.

At the end of the race, the Mayor of Mellieha presented trophies and a Lm500 prize fund to the winners. The police and the St John Ambulance assisted the organisers throughout the race. This series of four races is also being sponsored by Air Malta, Magri Cycles, Kia Motors, Mellieha Local Council, Playstation, Kinder and Nextgen ISP.

The second race in the series will be held next Sunday on the same route, starting at 7.30 a.m. The route will be closed for traffic by the police from the bottom of San Martin Hill to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay.

Swim-run fun events

During Sunday`s event, Birkirkara St Joseph will also hold the second fun event for kids and youths between the ages of 7 and 15 years. These events consist of a 150m swim and a one kilometre run at Golden Bay.

All events will start at 7.30 a.m. Three Playstations will be drawn among those kids and youths who participate in at least three of the four events. Application forms may be obtained from the club on telephone numbers 2143 1458, 2144 4226 and 9946 6256 or from Isabelle Zarb at the Swimming Promotion Unit, National Pool.