Agones SFC race in Safi

Hannah Pace runs ahead in Safi.

Agones SFC, in conjunction with the Safi Local Council and series sponsors Al Fresco Restaurant, recently organised a duathlon race.

The event consisted of a 4.2km run followed by a 16.8km bike leg and a final run of 2.1km, all within the confines of Safi.

As expected, national triathlon champion Keith Galea (Birkirkara St Joseph) dominated the men’s race, setting a scorching pace over all three legs and leaving the other contenders in his wake.

Galea was followed inside the gantry by the ever-improving Graham Borg (Birkir-kara St Joseph) with bright prospect Ryan Saliba (Agones) in third place.

The women’s duathlon was a closely-matched duel until half-way through the distance when Hannah Pace (Pembroke Athleta) started to move clear from Margaret Seguna (Mellieħa AC).

In the early stages of the race, both had taken full advantage from the race’s format by sharing pacing duties with some of the male participants.

Ultimately, though, Pace broke away from the field and maintained her advantage in the final run leg.

Seguna retained second placing with the evergreen Suzanne Farrugia (Birkirkara St Joseph) coming in at third place.

The duathlon in Safi saw the participation of a good number of promising youngsters.

In an effort to nurture the interest in the sport from a very young age, the adults’ race was followed by a fun event for children, some of whom from the Malta Triathlon Federation Youth Academy. They were joined by others from the Agones academy.

The duathlon was the first in a series organised by Agones SFC under the auspices of the Malta Triathlon Federation.

Results
Men: 1. Keith Galea 55.16; 2. Graham Borg 58.50; 3. Ryan Saliba 1.00.06.
Women: 1. Hannah Pace 1.02.19; 2. Margaret Seguna 1.03.46; 3. Suzanne Farrugia 1.16.12.