The 12th Mdina Glass six-miler, organised recently by the Ladies Running Club, attracted an entry of around 200 participants who amassed at the start just outside the Mdina Glass factory at Ta' Qali.
The main race, which has easily become the second most popular event after the Malta Marathon, was preceded by an open 3km fun run, thereby ensuring an even wider participation.
Dermot Galea, one of Malta's leading triathletes, took on the early pace and opened a gap of about 15 metres over the first half mile.
The following pack, led by Brian Magri, Drew Lang and Jonathan Balzan, soon closed the gap and all four passed the one mile mark in around 5:05 with Magri dictating the pace.
He soon began to pull away. At one point, just before the two-mile mark, Magri was leading by a good 60 metres. Two miles of generally downhill running were completed in around 10:15.
Over the third mile, during which the course turned into an uphill towards Attard, Magri began to slow down considerably as he was caught by Lang and Balzan. Galea lay off the pace and was eventually caught up by ever-consistent veteran Joe Pace.
A three-horse race for first place ensued with Balzan and Lang passing through the motions and biding their time and Magri hanging on valiantly. As the runners approached the last stretch, Lang easily looked to be the freshest of the three, and with 200m to go he eased ahead to win in a modest 33.21, beating Balzan by a mere two seconds.
Balzan has been improving in leaps and bounds and is a face to watch in future road running. Magri did well to hold on till the end, clocking 33.27 for third place. Pace was the first veteran in, clinching fourth place overall.
In the women's face, favourite Carol Galea had to pull out before the two-mile mark due to a persistent injury. Until that point, she had been among the overall leaders.
It was therefore left to Charmaine Sciberras to dictate the pace for the women. She ran a steady race to win in 38.46, 47 seconds ahead of her closest rival Angela Sammut (39.33). Third woman in was Cecilia Fenech in 39.37.
The LRC were assisted by the Mdina Glass, San Michel, Gatorade, Country Style, Sedqa, Intex Marketing, Smart Supermarket and Simply Fit.
The prize winners
Men: 1. Drew Lang 33.21; 2. Jonathan Balzan 33.23; 3. Brian Magri 33.27. Over 40: 1. Joe Pace; 2. Jimmy Sacco; 3. Victor Borg. Over 45: 1. Stephen Mifsud; 2. Mario Saliba; 3. George Cassar. Over 50: 1. Alfred Camilleri; 2. Denis Briffa; 3. Reno Audino. Over 55: 1. Derek Moss; 2. Anthony Brincat. Over 60: David Payne. Over 65: Paul Fenech. Over 70: Grezzju Tanti.
Women: 1. Charmaine Sciberras 38.46; 2. Angela Sammut 39.33; 3. Cecilia Fenech 39.37. Over 35: 1. Theresa Camilleri; 2. Astrid Fleri Soler. Over 40: 1. Debbie Micallef Eynaud; 2. Doris Montebello. Over 45: Anna Bugeja; Over 50: Monica Piscopo. Over 55: Liz Said.
Special Prize: 1st LRC member - Silvana Camilleri.