The Salesians of Don Bosco have been in Malta for 100 years now. To mark the occasion, 20 Savio AC members recently did a marathon run around the island, 112 kilometres in all, carrying the picture of the saintly founder inside the baton in just over ten hours.

It was not really a race, but certainly a very demanding athletic challenge. The distances covered varied from two to 11 kilometres, depending on age and ability.

Johann Zammit, the school PE teacher ran the longest leg - 11.2 kilometres.

The marathon began at 7 a.m. from near the Madaliena Chapel on Dingli Cliffs. The last runner in made it at 5.12 p.m. as the nearest accessible road to the coast was followed on a route that went out to Mellieha Bay, Xemxija, Bugibba, Sliema, Valletta, Kalkara, Marsascala, Birzebbuga, Hal Far and Zurrieq.

Added prestige

It was the second time that Savio AC members did the run, the first being in 2001.

This time, however, the feat had the added lustre of being part of the Salesians centenary celebrations.

For the record the 20 runners were: David Gatt and his son Kurstin; Johan Zammit; Mark Saliba; Alex Farrugia; Matthew Saliba; Andrew Muscat; Luke Gauci; Christian Reiff; Carmel Farrugia; Matthew Croker; Marco Calleja; Robert Schembri; Daniel Portelli; Reuben Camilleri; Carl Zammit; Sacha Dunlop; William Pace and his son Luke; and Fr Frank Clifton.

All runners were assisted by Sandro Farrugia, the school bursar. He followed the group all day long in a back-up vehicle. The average distance run by each runner was 5.5kms. The average speed was 11 km/h.

Meanwhile, training at Savio AC has resumed on a regular basis.

The sports organisation also accepts members who are not pupils of Savio College. More details may be obtained by phoning 21-454546.