Winning start for Grech and Bezzina

Gerald Grech and Lisa Bezzina opened their commitments with fine victories in the fourth edition of the Birkirkara 5K Road Running Series, organised by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club in collaboration with the Birkirkara Local Council.

This first in a series of four races was held on the flat route of the Ta' Qali National Park.

Previous series winner Grech, of AS Libertas, was pushed all the way by Birkirkara SJ's James Douglas.

Last year's winner Mark Herrera (Athleta Pembroke) had to settle for third place following a very close race with another Birkirkara SJ athlete, Dermot Galea.

Grech completed the race in 15 minutes 38 seconds, eight seconds ahead of Douglas. Herrera's 16 minutes 15 seconds was enough to beat Galea by two seconds in the final sprint.

Athleta Pembroke's Bezzina, herself a previous stage winner, led the women's race from the start. She finished in 18 minutes 4 seconds.

Second place went to Giselle Camilleri of St Patrick's in 18 minutes 44 seconds, while third female in was Camilleri's team-mate Angela Sammut who clocked 19 minutes 2 seconds.

In the clubs' standings, the Birkirkara SJ athletes currently hold top spot ahead of Mellieha AC and St Patrick's.

The second race in this series will be held on Tuesday, August 1 at the Ta' Qali National Park, starting at 7.30 p.m.

Entry forms will be received by the organisers on raceday.