AS Libertas regain title with record timing at Qawra

AS Libertas followed on their Village-to-Village Relay success earlier this month with a formidable showing in the Shuttle Road Relay yesterday. They registered a record time for the six-kilometre distance to regain the title they lost to Mellieha AC last year.

The Libertas team, composed of Kevin Galea, Charles Cilia, Gerald Grech and Ricky Baldacchino, were the dominant force at Qawra, shaving off 18 seconds from the previous best mark to finish in 17.10.

The old record belonged to the same four Libertas runners who had won the 2002 relay in 17.28.

Second in the Men's Open yesterday were Pembroke for whom Mark Herrera ran the fastest lap of the day - 4.12. Their time was 17.27, 11 seconds ahead of Allcomers. This time around, Mellieha AC had to be content with fourth placing with an overall timing of 18.06.

The Women's Open was won by Pembroke Athleta who finished ahead of the AS Libertas quartet.

Carol Galea was again among the protagonists as she led team-mates Stephanie Magri, Joelle Cortis and Nadia Mifsud to victory in 21.31.

Pembroke were also the winners in the girls race while Savio College showed their superior qualities in the boys' relay as three of their teams occupied all podium places at the finish.