Pembroke races to be held on Sunday, April 3

The 17th series of races organised by Pembroke Athleta promise to be another bumper event following the successes of recent years where participation blossomed from a modest few hundred into well over a thousand last year.

“Little did we realize to what dimension this event would grow when we first introduced it several years ago,” Victor Camilleri, the president of the club, was quoted as saying during the launching of the 2011 races.

“Basically, it originated as the dream that every athletics club in Malta holds – that of having an event that is truly one’s own. In reality, the Pembroke 10km challenge race has retained its character but when it comes down to sheer numbers, this annual event has grown to proportions way beyond any expectations.”

The 10K race, reserved mainly for those intending to clock good timings and, perhaps personal bests, starts early at 8.30 a.m. at the same time as the race that covers half the classical distance.

“This 5km race is also proving to be popular, particularly with those recently converted to the joy of running a competitive event and for young people intent of making athletics their sport for life,” Camilleri added.

“The fact that last year the longer race topped 170 entries and the shorter distance attracted another 50 fills us with great courage.”

On the conclusion of these two races, a series of fun events, starting off at 10 a.m. brings in the real protagonists of this morning of healthy activity – children some of whom accompanied by parents.

The two roads that take in the distance covered in the Fun Run, roughly 2,000 metres, are kept traffic free with the help of the Police Force, Traffic Wardens and a host of volunteers and helpers acting as road marshals.

The last races for the day, over a distance of 3,000 metres, will be reserved for older children whose ages range from 12 to 15 years. These races, sponsored by Urban Jungle, start at 11 a.m. and shortly afterwards, the organisers will start with the presentation of the many prizes and handsome trophies.

A commemorative shield will be awarded to the school providing the largest group in the Fun Run, in which trophies for the first Pembroke and Swieqi residents will be awarded by the respective mayors expected to be present.