Balzan holds off Kisheim to claim title

It was a repeat of what has become a pretty familiar story in local long distance running as Jonathan Balzan won the 2008 Maxim Sports Nutrition Żurrieq Half Marathon yesterday.

Balzan and Haithem Kisheim had matched each other for most of the race and up till the final kilometres it was impossible to predict a winner.

The previous five editions of this annual race had been dominated by Christian Nemeth. Not this year, however, as the absence of the Belgian athlete guaranteed a new name on the roll of winners and perhaps breathed fresh life into the event.

It certainly caused a fair deal of anticipation at the finishing line, such was the uncertainty about the potential victor. When Balzan appeared well ahead of anyone else for the final straight, it was clear who the winner would be.

"It was a fantastic run," said the elated winner. "It was a bit too windy for me and the conditions cost me some seconds early on. I had to make up for that later in the race because I knew that I had to run at my best to win."

Indeed, Balzan's win was coupled with a personal best for him on this route. "Winning with a personal best, what more could I ask for?" Balzan enthused.

"Haithem was with me for much of the distance. It was only in Kirkop that I started to open a bit of a gap. I increased my pace a bit and was encouraged when I saw that he wasn't coming with me, so I pushed on even harder."

That Balzan came in almost a full minute ahead of Kisheim shows the extent of his win. Not that the Libyan was too downcast.

"I'm not used to training for such distances," the 10-kilometre specialist said. "For the first 16km I was doing well but after that I didn't have the strength.

"I tried hard to keep up with Jonathan but in the end I didn't have it in my legs. For me to finish second, however, is still a very good result."

As was the case last year, Brian Magri came in after the St Patrick's duo. Contrary to last year, however, his time was almost two minutes slower. "I think this is my worst result here," he observed. "It feels good to finish third but I was expecting a better time.

"Yesterday (Saturday) I had a late meal and I think that played a part. My stomach evidently didn't appreciate it too much," he said, trying to find an explanation for his result.

Not that he should punish himself too much because he was not the only athlete to run slower than last year. That was certainly the case for Carol Walsh who would have struggled to finish second in 2007 had she repeated yesterday's run.

"I think it was the humidity," Walsh opined. "I can't really pinpoint another reason. I've been coming along well in training and even though I spent some time away from athletics, I've been preparing very well.

"Nevertheless, I'm nearly 46 now, so to be running and winning at my age is a huge bonus."

Walsh's views were shared by Carmen Hili who, as with last year, finished second even though her time was also significantly worse. "I can't say that I didn't try hard enough. I was pushing but it seemed to be all in vain," Hili said.

"My target was to finish in around 1:27, so I kept pushing till the end because I wanted to do well. Despite doing my best to run faster, I just didn't manage to do it."

There was another creditable finish for Josann Attard, with the upcoming Starmax AC athlete placing third in what has to be her best career result.

Results

Men: 1. Jonathan Balzan (St Patrick's AC) 1:12.28; 2. Haithem Kisheim (St Patrick's AC) 1:13.13; 3. Brian Magri (Pembroke Athleta) 1:15.25.

Women: 1. Carol Walsh (Pembroke Athleta) 1:27.36; 2. Carmen Hili (St Patrick's AC) 1:31.42; 3. Josann Attard (Starmax) 1:35.58.