Balzan wins 5km race in record time

The St Vincent De Paul Running Group have just held their annual 5km race, under the auspices of Athletics Malta.

In all, 150 participants ran the 1km fun run and 207, with ages ranging from 15 to 72 years, completed the 5km race. The start of both runs was from near the gates of the Residence.

Jonathan Balzan (St Patrick's) led the way, followed by Gerald Grech (AS Libertas) and Kendienea Mersie Mihritie (St Patrick's).

Joseph Saliba (Żurrieq Wolves) ran past Mihritie in the last 1.5 km as Balzan finished the race in 15.21. Grech was second (16.01) and Saliba (16.15) third ahead of Mihritie (16.26), Richard Chetcuti (Mellieħa AC, 16.29) and Adrian Mifsud (Żurrieq Wolves, 16.30).

Balzan's time was better than the one of Haitem Kshem who held the previous record for the route after winning last year's race.

In the women's race, Giselle Camileri (St Patrick's), Josanne Attard (Starmax) and Lisa Bezzina (Athleta Pembroke) made the early running.

Camilleri opened a gap at the 3.5km mark and she went on to win the race in 18.09 to finish ahead of Bezzina (19.10) and Attard (19.25). Monalisa Camilleri, of AS Libertas, was fourth in 19.48.

The trophies for the first and second employees at the Residence went to Melvin Mifsud, Carmel D'Amato, Marianne Azzopardi, Stephania Bonnici and Lorita Debono.

The Sadia Mizzi Best Effort Trophy was awarded to Paul Fenech, the eldest participant in the 5km race at 72. He finished the race in 40.16.

Trophies were distributed by Stephanie Xuereb, Director Elderly, and Ronald Fiorentino, Medical Superintendent, St Vincent De Paul Residence.

The main sponsor was Mr Clean and Powerade and Kristal were the official drinks. Kiss FM was the official radio station for the occasion.