Andrew Grech and Rita Galea were the winners of this year’s Fleur-de-Lys 10K races to complete a double for Mellieħa Athletic Club.

The Fleur-de-Lys 10K and 5K races, organised jointly by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club and the local administrative committee, were sponsored by EuroSport.

Over 230 runners took part in the two races held on a rather flat route that passed through Birkirkara, Balzan, Attard and back to starting point in Fleur-de-Lys.

Grech clocked 32 minutes, 36 seconds to finish ahead of Birkirkara St Joseph’s Steve Chetcuti (33:59) and Mellieħa AC team-mate Stephen Borg (34:14).

In the women’s race, Galea fended off the challenge from Gianella Bugeja to win the race in 40 minutes, 26 seconds, just 12 seconds faster than the runner-up.

Birkirkara St Joseph’s Denise Buttigieg was third in 41 minutes, 42 seconds.

Hussen Ahmed Ibrahim, of St Patrick’s AC, won the five-kilometre race in 16 minutes 2 secs.

Pembroke Athleta’s Mark Herrera was second in 16 minutes 9 seconds and Keith Galea, of Birkirkara St Joseph, third in 16 minutes 25 seconds.

Marthese Mercieca, of Mellieħa AC, was first runner home in the women’s shorter race in 19 minutes 20 seconds.

She finished ahead of Francesca Arrigo, of the Ladies Running Club (19:37), and Birkir-kara St Joseph’s Sandra Schembri (20:31).

The races were held under the auspices of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association.