Magri and Hili register first victories in 5K series

The third race in the Birkirkara 5K Road Running Series produced two new winners with victories for Brian Magri and Carmen Hili in their respective categories.

The series is organised annually by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club, in conjunction with the Birkirkara Local Council and under the auspices of Athletics Malta.

Current series leaders, Gerald Grech and Giselle Camilleri, decided to give this race a miss, having both won the previous two.

Rules stipulate that a runner is classified on the best two timings achieved in the first three races while the fourth and final race is compulsory.

Magri, of AS Libertas, grabbed the opportunity to carry the honours, notwithstanding the challenge of Drew Lang (St Patrick's) and Johann Galea (Mellieħa AC).

Magri finished the race in 16 minutes five seconds, 34 seconds ahead of Lang. Galea was third in 16:50.

Past series winner Hili, of St Patrick's, managed to open a wide enough gap to top the women's race in 19:03, her best time in this year's series.

Second was Francesca Arrigo, of the Ladies Running Club, in 19:37, and Pauline Vella (St Patrick's) third in 21:14.

The final race of the series will be held on December 13.