The Mdina Glass Ladies' Running Club 10km was held recently in warm, calm and humid conditions.

The race started from in front of the Mdina Glass at Ta' Qali, who yet again sponsored this event - one of the most popular on the local athletics calendar.

No fewer than 122 men and women of all ages and running ability turned up. The presence of top-distance runners Carol Walsh and Jonathan Balzan on the start line augured for yet another quality race.

The race began at a moderate tempo with Balzan immediately moving ahead, shadowed by veteran Brian Magri. The latter tested Balzan at various stages during the first half of the race, even pulling slightly ahead at around the 2km mark.

But Balzan stayed in control and stuck to his race plan, which was to increase his pace on the uphill climb to Ta' Qali at around the 6km point.

Having completed the first five kilometres in 16:17 over what had been mostly a downhill route, one assumed that the second half would be significantly slower and that the previous year's record of 33:07 would not be under threat.

However, Balzan proved otherwise and did the second and most challenging half of the race in a quicker time than the first. After moving clear at the 6 km point, he extended his lead to 150 metres by the finish, clocking 32:28 - a new course record.

Magri was also two seconds inside the course record - a laudable feat considering that he is also racing in triathlon events.

Meanwhile, the battle for third place was tight and Drew Lang, now also well into his veteran years and enjoying semi-retirement from athletics, had a fantastic race, overhauling Joseph Saliba (fourth place) in the final stages and grabbing a top-three place in this race for the 11th time in his athletics career.

In the women's race, Carol Walsh defied the years, injuries and all opposition, winning in a new course record of 38:12.

The respect other athletes have for Walsh was epitomised when runner-up Lisa Bezzina 40.30, back in the fold despite being only five months into motherhood, stated that her next goal was "to join Carol at the next Games of the Small States of Europe".

Third-placed Joelle Cortis, still only 22, was slightly disappointed with her time, 40.31, which was outside her personal best for the distance, but she could surely be pleased with her placing given the calibre of the athletes competing.

These included veteran and ever improving Marisa Micallef who held on for a creditable fourth place.

In a statement, the Ladies' Running thanked all the sponsors of the race, the Attard Scouts, St John's Ambulance, Malta Police, officials, marshals and other volunteers.

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