Keith Galea and Hannah Pace emerged victorious from the opening race of the 2015 Birkirkara SJ Sprint Series, held recently in sweltering temperatures at Birżebbuġa.

A total of 65 triathletes braved the tough conditions as they tackled a 750m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5k run for the first sprint triathlon in the local calendar this season.

In the men’s series, Galea (Birkirkara St Joseph) exited the water first after covering the course in 10 minutes and 20 seconds. He was followed by Graham Borg in 10:34.

Third in the swim segment was young Shaun Galea in 11:33.

Galea’s lead briefly came under threat from team-mate Graham Borg who completed the 20km bike course in 31:37 seconds, 12 seconds faster than Galea.

In the run, Fabio Spiteri edged closer to the leaders. However, in the end Galea’s fast transition and pace saw him complete the race first in 1:01.21, securing a course record in the process.

Borg did the sprint triathlon in 1:02.42 and Spiteri was third in 1:03.48.

Pace (Pembroke Athleta) was third in the women’s swim in 10 minutes and 51 seconds, behind Margaret Seguna (Mellieħa AC) and Michelle Vella Wood (Bir-kirkara SJ).

Vella Wood showed her strength in the cycling portion, covering the 20km circuit six seconds faster than Pace.

However, the latter showed her true mettle in the run to breast the tape first in 1:08.23. Vella Wood was the runner-up in 1:10.14.

Both Pace and Vella Wood recorded personal best times on the course. Seguna came in third place in 1:13.23.

In the relay, Jean Claude Cutajar (swim), Steve Sciberras (cycle) and Andrew Grech (run) completed the triathlon in an accumulated 59:37.

Race organisers Birkirkara St Joseph were assisted by Transport Malta, Police Corps and Birzebbuga Local Council along with a team of volunteers.

The next leg from the BSJ Sprint Series will take place in Birżeb-buġa on August 9.