Bonello Spiteri, Magri secure titles

The 10th Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series concluded recently. Brian Magri and Danica Bonello Spiteri claimed top spot in the overall classification after winning the fourth and final leg at Salina.

Magri’s success in this series rounded up a very positive 2009/10 campaign for the veteran triathlete who recorded his personal best time in the final race.

He was eighth out of the water from a field of 38, swimming the 750 metres in 13 minutes 40 seconds.

Pre-race favourite Karl Attard was first in the swim segment in 11:36, followed by George Vella, a second behind.

With the likes of Dermot Galea, Keith Galea, Mark Zammit and Fabio Spiteri not taking part, the race was wide open.

Attard was visibly uncomfortable in the 20-kilometre cycle and Magri turned on the power to cut the deficit to 32 seconds at the beginning of the final five-kilometre run. Magri cycled the distance in 30:28.

His fast 17:32 run clinched him the race and the 2010 title. His accumulated time was 1:01.40. Attard was second in 1:03.16, ahead of Michael Gellel, 1:04.31.

Unbeaten in the previous three races in the women’s category, national champion Bonello Spiteri only had to finish the race to reclaim the title she lost last year.

Bonello Spiteri stamped her dominance in the first segment of the race, swimming the 750 metres in 11:33 to leave her nearest rivals trailing by more than two minutes.

Cautiously going around the 20-kilometre circuit, she finished her cycle in 36:44, avoiding any mishaps or mechanical problems which may have cost her dearly.

Bonello Spiteri then ran the five-kilometre distance in 22:11 to open an insurmountable gap on her rivals and win the race in 1:10.28.

Donatelle Callus was second in 1:15.06 and Naturi Megumi third in 1:19.16.