Fine Galea showings in UK

Birkirkara St Joseph's Keith Galea, currently training in the UK ahead of the National Championships, did well recently in two international triathlons.

His first commitment was a race on the Olympic distances (1,500m swim, 40km bike and a 10km run).

In a field of 500, which included some professionals, Galea finished sixth overall, just over a minute away from third place. He placed first in his age-group.

This was the third victory for Galea abroad as he managed to lower his time over the distance by more than one minute.

His previous personal best of two hours and 20 seconds, achieved last May, was reduced to 1:59.08 to become the fourth Maltese to break the two-hour barrier.

Galea finished the swim in an excellent time of 18:04. The bike course was over two laps of 20 kilometres each on a testing route with a steep uphill at the end of each lap.

Galea covered the distance in 1:03.00 at an average speed of 38 kilometres per hour.

Near the final stages of the run segment, believing that a time under two hours was within his reach, Galea gave his all. He ran the 10 kilometres in 35:39, to achieve his long-time objective.

Galea's other race in the UK was a sprint triathlon.

This time Galea was the overall victor in the Worcester Sprint Triathlon. He finished four seconds in front of Mark Couldwell, a professional triathlete sponsored by Total Fitness Nottingham.

The triathlon started with a 400m swim in a 25m pool. Galea registered a time of five minutes 25 seconds. Following a swim to bike transition, he headed out to tackle a hilly 20-kilometre route around the town of Droitwitch.

Galea cycled strongly throughout the undulating route, to finish this segment in 32:55 and put himself in a very good position to challenge for the honours.

Running at a steady pace, he climbed to second place, rapidly closing the gap on the race leader. In the final stages, Galea opened the sprint that won him the race in a time of 58:59.