St Patrick's veteran first in age group race in Giulianova

Alfred Debono, the St Patrick's Athletic Club runner, was recently in Giulianova, Italy where he took part in the Over-50 category of the third Trofeo Podistico città di Giulianova half marathon.

Adopting a good tactical race, Debono, the established no.1 over-50 runner in Malta, went on to win his bracket and added the prestigious title to his string of positive performances on the international scene.

It was the second time that Debono had won his category in an overseas event apart from having also placed second on another occasion abroad.

With a time of one hour, 21 minutes and 54 seconds, Debono finished the race 47th overall.

There was an entry of 800 athletes on the starting line of the race, organised by the Runners Adriatico sporting club.

Debono is a few weeks away from his 55th birthday.

His showing in Italy augurs well for things to come once he joins the ranks of the more senior athletes in the Over-55 bracket. Certainly he looks prepared to throw down the gauntlet to the other challengers in the veteran group.