Winter races start in Gozo

Today sees the start of another Malta Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) winter season in which road running and other off-track events have become familiar.

The Gozo 10km, introduced last year as the fourth, or rather the first of four in a series that make up the Winter Aggregates, will hopefully witness a much larger participation this time around.

Last year, heavy seas pounded the jetty at Cirkewwa with the result that most athletes were stranded and missed out on the race.

This year, once the rains have come early, it is envisaged that an encouraging turn-out will provide tough opposition for the Gozitan runners who practise the sport.

Also this afternoon, the younger Intermediate, Youth and Cadet categories will compete in their own 3km event, which however, will not count towards their final league classification.

As in previous years, special prizes will be given to athletes hailing from Gozo. To encourage participation, the MAAA will once more subsidise the ferry expenses, as well as providing free road transport.

The times of the buses will be at 11.15 a.m. from Valletta to Cirkewwa and at 6.30 p.m. for the return trip.

The 10km race will start and finish at St Francis Square, Victoria with the gun to go off at 3 p.m. The shorter race starts half an hour earlier from the same venue, following the same route as in previous years.