Maltese runner from St Patrick Athletic club, Jonathan Balzan yesterday won the Palermo half marathon, finishing the 21.1 kilometre run in 1 hour 12:13 minutes.

He beat Italian Francesco Cori by more than one minute, to accomplish his feat. More than 650 athletes took part in the half marathon, among whom were 13 Maltese runners.

Mario Pisani of Athleta Pembroke placed a creditable sixth.