10th edition on Sunday

There will be special awards for this year's edition of races, organised by Athleta Pembroke Kyocera, as the occasion on Sunday will mark the 10th anniversary of the series.

Once again, the leading runners from most of the athletics clubs on the islands will take up the challenge of the tough 10km Open race.

The field should see the comeback of Pembroke club stalwarts Carol Galea, who missed the Malta Half Marathon last month due to injury, and Brian Magri.

Last year's winner Jonathan Balzan, of St Patrick's, is also expected to defend his title after his recent success in the Dingli 10-mile race. Galea won the women's race in Pembroke last year in 36:28.

The 10K, sponsored by Red Bull, is one of the many races on the programme which includes a new race over 5km reserved for athletes born in 1987 and 1988 and sponsored by Fexco.

The other events that follow will be the ever-popular Gatorade Fun Run, just 1.3kms long, open to all ages but patronised mostly by children aged six to 12. Many of these will be accompanied by older siblings and a good number of parents.

This event will start at 10 a.m after the various fun and games to be enjoyed by all children present, having been entertained by animators, face painters and lively music. The last two races for the morning cover 3km, with the Sedqa event reserved for the cadet category, that is children born in 1991 and 1992, scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.

The morning's fun will be wrapped up with the start of the 11.30 a.m. Nike race for youths (1989 and 1990). All finishers will receive a medal, a goodie bag and a certificate of participation.

Last year, Pembroke Kyocera had a record entry field of around 1,500.

The 2004 races were launched recently and registrations so far are encouraging with more than 800 young runners already booked for one of the shorter distance races as the organisers' drive in schools and sports organisations goes on relentlessly.

Trophies and vouchers will be at stake for the top finishers in all races.

Entry forms are available from all athletic clubs, the Pembroke and Swieqi Local Councils, the main club premises and most schools.