Pembroke races - a great success

Over 1,400 participants were present for a series of road races held recently in the Pembroke/Swieqi localities.

This ninth edition continued to build on the success and popularity established in recent years by Pembroke Athleta, thanks also to its main sponsor Kyocera, the vital contribution by the Local Councils, the authorities and a multitude of other sponsors, notably Subway, Vodafone, Fiat and Fontana.

The prime event, the Red Bull 10K, attracted a field of 117 runners. In the men's event, Jonathan Balzan, Drew Lang and Mario Pisani were always in the leading pack. Carol Galea, in the ladies' 10K, led from start to finish, mostly keeping with the pace of the leading male competitors.

At the gantry, it was Balzan and Galea first with times of 33.44 and 36.28 minutes respectively. Lang, Pisani and Mark Herrera finished behind Balzan while Cecilia Fenech and Carmen Hili, followed Galea in second and third places. Cash prizes and other gifts awaited the first three runners.

The next series of races was the Gatorade Fun Run, by far the largest entry amount in all events. The thousand or so youngsters, many accompanied by their parents, gathered at the Pembroke Sports Club. They completed the 1.2km course in various forms of exhaustion, but most certainly in fun.

For safety reasons, the organisers again split this event into a race for residents from Pembroke and Swieqi followed at short intervals by four other races ranging in age brackets.

Two competitive races over 3km followed the Fun Run. The first race for children born 88/89, sponsored by Nike, was won by Karl Zammit in 10.30 closely followed by Kurt Xerri, Andrea Camilleri and Kurt Law.

Lorna Mifsud finished the girls' race in 12.55. She was followed in by Emma J. Vassallo, Leanne Bajada and Mirjana Zammit.

The second Sedqa 3km race was open for children born in 90/91. Here Roberta Borg was first followed by Tiziana Zerafa, Lara Vella and Rebecca Bonello. The boys' race winner was James Parnis. Claudio Toscano, Keith Vassallo and Gordon Lungaro were the next runners home.