17 runners for 3,000m race

The Malta Milers Club organised a friendly athletics meet last month to raise the profile of middle distance running and also to provide one last competition before the season comes to a close.

There were two 800m races followed by a longer 3,000m run.

The first 800m run, a mixed race for the better-class runners, saw a keen competition in which Stephen Moghrabi (Allcomers) was the overall winner, in 2.09.05.

He was closely followed by Mark Anthony Farrugia (Starmax, 2.10.05) and Simon Spiteri (St Patrick's, 2.10.06).

Francesca Xuereb (Starmax) was the first female to cross the line.

Her finishing time was 2:24.03. Mona Lisa Camilleri (AS Libertas) was second after overtaking Martina Xuereb (Starmax) in the last few metres. Camilleri clocked 2.24.06.

The other 800m race was run at a slower pace. Of particular interest was the strong finish of Amy Abdilla (Pembroke). In the final straight, she closed the gap on Glenn Farrugia (Starmax) who won the race in 2.28.09.

The organisers also opted to hold a mixed race in the 3,000m as there were no fewer than 17 runners who braved the hot conditions.

The men's section of the race was dominated by guest athlete Konstantin Rozhnov. He finished the race in 9.31.06.

Nonetheless, two young runners caught the eye with very promising performances. Simon Spiteri (St Patrick's) ran the distance in 9.43.05 to finish second while further down the field Christian Luke Chetcuti, 14, (Allcomers) crossed the line in 9.56.03.

The women's 3,000m was won by the improving Francesca Arrigo (Ladies Running Club) in 11.18.02.