Cilia, Cortis win opening race of 5K Series

The 2009 Birkirkara 5K Road Running Series, now in its seventh year, kicked off on Tuesday with the first race along the Mtarfa by-pass.

Charles Cilia won the race in 15 minutes 52 seconds and Joelle Cortis was first in the women's event in 19 minutes 25 seconds.

Cilia, Gerald Grech and Brian Magri set a fast pace from the start. After moving ahead midway through the race, Cilia went on to cross the finishing line 10 seconds ahead of Grech. Magri was third in 16:07.

Cortis and Angela Sammut battled it out for first place in the women's race. It was only in the final kilometre that Cortis gained an edge over her rival. She won by two seconds. Josann Attard was third in 20:28.

The second race in the series will be held on July 28.