Zammit and Bezzina unchallenged in race three

The third race in the series of five organised by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club as part of the national triathlon championships, was the first not to be undermined by inclement weather conditions.

After the first two races were reduced to a swim-run, the organisers welcomed the excellent conditions prevailing last Sunday which set the stage for a fast race.

Favourites Mark Zammit and Marylynn Bezzina were virtually unchallenged throughout the whole triathlon, both registering good finishing times. Their encourgaing results augur well for their forthcoming commitments with the national team in the Triathlon of the Small States of Europe to be held early next month in Luxembourg.

Zammit virtually secured his victory as early as the swimming segment. He was out of the water in 10 minutes 57 seconds, way ahead of second-placed Nicky Farrugia (13:11) and Gordon Camenzuli (13:37) in third place.

Ex-champion David Galea, finishing his swim in ninth place, managed to record the best cycle of the day, covering the 20km in 30 minutes 45 seconds and powering himself to second place.

Farrugia held on to third place after a 32 minutes 6 seconds cycle. During the 5k run, Michael Gellel surpassed Galea whose time was 48 seconds slower.

Gellel finished in one hour, three minutes, 54 seconds, 18 seconds ahead of Galea. However, a two-minute drafting penalty against Gellel denied him second place which went to the returning Galea. Zammit won the race in one hour, one minute, 23 seconds.

Bezzina was also dominant in the women's category. She completed the route in one hour, 12 minutes, 20 seconds with a comfortable lead over newcomer Michelle Wood who clocked one hour, 21 minutes, two seconds. Overall leader Debbie Caruana Dingli finished third in one hour 25 minutes, 14 seconds.

Birkirkara SJ Sports Club organised this race with the collaboration of the Malta Triathlon Association, Red Bull, St James' Hospital Ambulance Team, Burmarrad Commercials, the district police and the Naxxar Local Council.

Road Running Series

Meanwhile, the Athletics Board of Birkirkara SJ Sports Club, in conjunction with the Birkirkara Local Council and under the auspices of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association, will be organising the third edition of the Birkirkara 5K Road Running Series 2005.

The four races will be held on July 8, August 5, September 2 and December 13. The first three races will be staged on the flat route at the Ta' Qali National Park, while the December race will be held in the club's home town.

A prize money fund of Lm250 and trophies will be presented to the top athletes in the final classification of both the male and the female categories.

A challenge trophy will be given to the club whose athletes accumulate the best time.

Race application forms are available from the Birkirkara Local Council, or can be downloaded from the club's website www.bkarastjoseph.com.