Pembroke races again attract great numbers

For the 11th year running Pembroke Athleta will again keep their appointment with the local athletics calendar by hosting the ever popular road races in the quiet surroundings of their locality on Sunday.

Characteristic of this early Spring sporting promise, the entry list is set to reach the high levels of participation seen in recent years with confirmed applications already received numbering well over 1,100, the majority being school children.

The main event, the 10km open challenge, once more sponsored by Red Bull, starts at 8.30 a.m.

The evergreen Carol Galea will fly the Pembroke Athleta flag in the women's race.

Jonathan Balzan, of St Patrick's, and Pembroke's Mark Herrera, among the protagonists this season, will give sporting battle for the men's title.

Following last year's experiment, it has been decided to retain the 5km race. Entry to this event is reserved to those born in 1989 or before. Fexco Western Union are the sponsors of the 5km run which starts at the same time as the 10km race.

Gatorade are now synonymous with the 1.3km fun run, by far the most popular event which starts at 10 a.m. The other two races that make up the morning cover 3km, backed by Sedqa, and the 11.30 a.m. Nike-sponsored race for youths.

Entry forms are available from athletics clubs, the Pembroke and Swieqi Local Councils and various schools.