Going into the final event of the Cross Country League for the youth and cadet categories last Sunday, the leading athletes had already secured three of the four top prizes at stake.

Moreover, twins Luke and Joseph Camilleri, proud representatives of Stella Maris College and members of Pembroke Athleta, together with Isaac Bonett from the same club, had finished in that order at each of the four previous meetings, to clinch the corresponding prizes in the youth boys’ category.

Laura Sammut, of St Patrick’s AC, was another outright winner.

In the cadet category, the only certainty for a top prize was Luke Mizzi.

The AS Libertas rising star had won three and placed second in the four previous encounters to finish top, but the race for the remaining podium positions, also for girls, went to the wire.

On the day, it was Meave Phillips who clinched first prize as champion cadet girl, with Maria Ghigo, also of St Patrick’s, finishing third overall. Second was Pembroke runner Rachel Attard Chase.

In the overall classification for boys Nathan Sciberras, of Pembroke Athleta, finished behind Mizzi. Matthew Gauci, of St Patrick’s, was third.

Finally, Jessica Bonnici and Miriam Gauci, both members of Pembroke Athleta, finished second and third in the youth girls competition.

All the winners were presented with their trophies at the end of last weekend’s event while those youngsters who completed at least three of the five meetings will be awarded participation medals at a later date.