Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1133773
30 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 JUNE 2019 SPORTS RUNNING A record number, exceeding two hundred participants, took part in the first race of the BSJ Eurosport 5k Road Running Series. The popular Mtarfa route has been increasingly at- tracting the crowds wanting a late afternoon race during the week. At the sound of the gun, it was Jesrit Camilleri who took the lead with Pedro Lopez and Simon Spiteri hot on his heels. This placing was kept for nearly the first lap, however, he was slowly overtaken by Lopez who, together with Simon Spi- teri, was fighting for the top placings. Lopez showed a calm and col- lected approach to the race, keeping a steady pace to win the 5k course in a time of 16 minutes 11 seconds. Not far off behind him was Simon Spiteri who clocked in 16 minutes 30 seconds whilst Darran Agius crossed the finish line two sec- onds behind Spiteri. The females category was won by Tara Abdilla, who was a permanent fixture on last year's Series podium. Abdilla took the lead from the very start and kept it throughout. Similar to the men's race, Ab- dilla set the pace to clock a finish time of 18 minutes 14 seconds. Margaret Seguna came in second place with just one second to spare over third placed Celine Pace. "The popularity of the race has increased over the years. Notwithstanding the hot tem- peratures, athletes enjoy the course which gives them a taste of hills, flat surface and down- hills throughout " said Euchar Camilleri, Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club, Secretary General "Our thanks go to Transport Malta, Malta Police Force, Mtarfa Local Council and of course the volunteers and mar- shalls that provide assistance on the day". Medals were presented to the finishers and trophies were given to the top three males and females. The next race of the three part series will take place on Tuesday 16th July at 7pm. Reg- istrations can be done online via www.bkarastjoseph.com or on the day, until an hour before the start of the race. Lopez, Abdilla take home the honours in first race Female winner Tara Abdilla with Margaret Seguna and Celine Pace BSJ Eurosport 5k Road Running Series