Sammut, Kazmierczac take Half honours

Angele Sammut kept the Maltese flag flying high in the Land Rover Half Marathon after the St Patrick’s athlete won the race for the second year running yesterday.

In the men’s race, the honours on the day went to young Pole Mateusz Kazmierczac who capped a memorable debut in the Maltese race by holding off the strong challenge of German athlete Mike Poch.

Sammut completed the 21.1km race in 1 hour 23 minutes and 57 minutes, almost half-a-minute faster than her winning time in 2012 of 1:24.27.

Britain’s Mandy Callaway was a distant second in 1:27.26 while Italy’s Maria Fernanda Mirone occupied the final place on the podium in a time of 1:28.03.

“I’m delighted to have retained my title,” Sammut said yesterday.

“Winning the Malta half marathon for a second successive year makes me really proud. I wouldn’t have achieved this result without the assistance of my coach Ivan Rozhnov who always manages to bring out the best in me.”

In the men’s race, debutant Kazmierczac produced a strong finish to win in 1:11.04.

Poch was a close second in 1:11.23 with Guillaume Laclergue, of France, third in 1.12.00.

“I’ve really enjoyed racing here in Malta,” Kazmierczac said.

“I chose to come here as part of my triathlon training which is my main discipline.

“I didn’t know what to expect really but it was a very challenging race and it’s great to win.

“No doubt, Malta will be high on my schedule for next year as I hope to come back and defend my title.”

Joseph Saliba, of Żurrieq Wolves, was the first Maltese in the half marathon after crossing the finish line in 1.14.47.

“This was my seventh Malta half marathon,” the 43 year-old said.

“I entered the race without big expectations and to finish as the first Maltese is something that fills me with great pride.

“The conditions today were very testing as the wind made it very difficult, but that is something that affected not only me but also the other runners.

“I felt good throughout the race and that showed in my final result which is my best so far in this race.”

Clive Gerada, of St Patrick’s, was the second Maltese athlete home when stopping the clock on 1:14.58. He was followed by Birkirkara St Joseph’s Keith Galea in 1:15.21.