Without doubt, the winter season has been one of repeated successes for AS Libertas.
At all the major events their runners played leading roles, winning both individual and team competitions.
The cross country championships, held on the quiet country roads outside Dingli, wrapped it all up for them when they grabbed the first two spots both in the male and female categories.
Success was all the sweeter because it has been some years since the club was triumphant at these championships.
In fact, the last time a Libertas athlete managed first place was in 1997 when Ricky Baldacchino won the 9.6km event in an all-time best of 29.43 minutes.
This year, 21 men vied for the honours. Straight from the gun Charles Cilia and Gerald Grech sped out of the group closely followed by the shining lights from their rivals St Patrick's, whose trio of Jonathan Balzan, Drew Lang and Michael Gellel, form the core of the winning team that won this year's road running league.
The ladies, junior men and the intermediate category had only one 4.8km lap to cover. Here again a tough contest was being fought out by youngsters Luke Cassar, of Allcomers, and Zurrieq Wolves' Justin Mifsud. The final sprint, resembling more a track event, had both athletes reluctant to give away an inch, 16.32 minutes the timing given to both.
Cassar was awarded the cup for the intermediate category and Mifsud that for the junior. Ian Ellul (Zurrieq) and Andrea Camilleri (St Patrick's) were second and third behind Cassar while Savio's Matthew Saliba was second behind the Zurrieq runner.
The ladies' category saw the return of Lisa Marie Bezzina (nèe Camilleri). She finished ahead of her team-mate Katya Camilleri in 18.06. Third was Josann Attard for Starmax.
In the younger category it was again Joelle Cortis, of Pembroke Athleta Kyocera, who won the top prize in 18.20.
It was not long afterwards that the men's race drew to a close, with Cilia sprinting home in a good 30.52. Grech completed the Libertas double 20 seconds later. Balzan was third in 32.02.
Earlier in the afternoon, Allcomers won the cadet 2km when Liam Calleja finished first in 7.51, the same timing for La Salle's Caroline Galea, who won the event for the girls.
The longer 3.5km youths' race saw the triumph of Kurt Xerri (Gozo Seminary) in 12.29. The girls' event was won by Marouska Cutajar for Pembroke. She finished in 14.04 minutes.
This weekend the focus once again shifts to Marsa for the second pre-season meeting today.