Mtarfa victories for Balzan and Hili

A change in the route for the second race of the Birkirkara SJ 5K Road Running Series 2007, brought mixed fortunes to the top contenders in competition.

St Patrick AC's Jonathan Balzan, second in the first race to Gerald Grech (AS Libertas), went on to reverse the top two positions in his favour, winning in 15 minutes 51 seconds, six seconds ahead of Grech.

In the women's race, Carmen Hili, fourth in the previous event, turned on a winning performance at Mtarfa.

Grech, visibly uncomfortable on a slightly undulating route at the Mtarfa by-pass, could not get to grips with Balzan's determined running. The latter kept an unrelenting momentum throughout the race, notwithstanding the windy conditions.

Furthermore, Grech came under pressure from Brian Magri, of Athleta Pembroke, and Mellieha AC's Robert Attard. However, his earlier efforts paid good dividends as he managed to finish second in 15 minutes 57 seconds. Magri was third in 16 minutes three seconds.

In the overall classification, Balzan is now leading Grech by one second.

The women's race also produced a new winner in this Series as the in-form Hili, of St Patrick's AC, cruised to victory in 19 minutes 25 seconds.

Angela Sammut, who won the opening 5k run of the Series, retired two kilometres into the race, paving the way for a comfortable victory for Hili.

Second place was a tight contest between Nadia Portelli, of Athleta Pembroke, and Caroline Ciappara, of Allcomers AC. The former, third at Ta' Qali, outsprinted her rival by two seconds to finish in 20 minutes 18 seconds.

The third race from the Series will be held at Ta' Qali on August 28, starting at 7 p.m. The 5k Road Running Series is organised by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club in conjunction with the Birkirkara Local Council and under the auspices of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association.