Grech, Camilleri live up to expectations to secure titles

The Birkirkara 5K Road Running Series for 2008 came to an end with the traditional December 13 race, held on the winding roads in the core of Birkirkara.

The town's heritage route served as a historical backdrop for the athletes to run five laps around it and finish in front of the Birkirkara Civic Centre.

Favourites Gerald Grech and Giselle Camilleri lived up to the predictions by winning the race and the series.

Birkirkara mayor Michael Fenech Adami was the starter on the day. He set the runners down the road at a very fast pace towards the church.

The top five runners in the overall classification immediately opened a gap by the first lap. However, it was only Brian Magri who was looking to seriously challenge Grech as the race progressed.

Grech made sure of victory in the final uphill sprint, winning the race in 16 minutes 18 seconds, just three seconds ahead of Magri.

Drew Lang finished third in 16 minutes 30 seconds, beating Fabio Spiteri by five seconds. Johann Galea finished an impressive fifth in 16 minutes 42 seconds.

Grech won the series in an accumulated time of 48 minutes four seconds, Magri was second in 48 minutes 23 seconds and Lang third in 49 minutes 18 seconds.

In the women's race, Camilleri's only opponent was the chronometer.

She led the final race from start to finish, running the five kilometres in 18 minutes 26 seconds, ahead of Carmen Hili (18:56) and Francesca Arrigo (19:27).

Camilleri won the series in 54 minutes 39 seconds overall. Hili finished second in 57:29 and Joelle Cortis third, 58:27.

The race in Birkirkara brought to an end a packed programme of events organised annually by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club.

The 5K Road Running Series was organised in conjunction with the Birkirkara Local Council and under the auspices of Athletics Malta.

The club thanked all sponsors, officials and marshals who assisted them in the organisation of their events throughout the year.