Moroccan runner Abdel Kebir Marchanne and Cecilia Fenech won their respective categories as they triumphed in the 20th Malta Marathon yesterday morning.

Marchanne registered his fourth victory in a row. In the process he also established a new record for the Malta Marathon, clocking 2:19.07, to beat the record set by Hugh Jones in 1993 at 2:19.30.

Second in the men’s category was Russian runner Oleg Knyagn who clocked 2:28.02 while third was Malta’s Jimmy Sacco who clocked 2:37.37. Obviously he was also the first Maltese home.

The women’s category was won by Cecilia Fenech of Zurrieq Wolves who clocked 3:03.39, while Carmen Hili of St Patrick was second, clocked at 3:15.50. Third was a foreigner, Evon Parker in a time of 3:25.21.

The men’s Half Marathon had an exciting finish as Charles Cilia only got the better of another Maltese runner, Jonathan Balzan, in the final 150 metres. They had raced together for most of the way and in the final moments, it was Cilia who triumphed as he sprinted to the finish.

Cilia, of Birkirkara St Joseph, was clocked at 1:10.14, while Balzan, of St Patrick, clocked 1:10.19. Third was another Maltese athlete, Mark Herrera, of Athleta Pembroke, in 1:13.36.

Carol Galea of Athleta Pembroke returned to success after missing last year’s event through injury. She clocked 1:18.38 while Lisa Bezzina, also of Athleta Pembroke, finished second in 1:24.31. Angela Sammut of St Patrick was third.

The event was characterised by the strong winds that prevailed. And most of those interviewed at the end said that the first part of the race was difficult for the fact that the wind was facing them, but from then on, it was in their favour. They also said that the changes to the route, due to the various works being carried out on some roads in the Mosta and Zebbug areas, did not really affect their performance. Some even went on to say that they preferred the new route, though their main complaint was the large amount of traffic encountered at Marsa.

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Marchanne, who won the event for the fourth time, said he was pleased to have set a new record for the event. “I am happy but I feel I could have done a lot better had there been a pace setter. Next year, I will bring my own pace-setter as I intend coming back to win again and also break my own record. In the first 12 kilometres, the Russian seemed to be going strong enough, but after that, I decided to go on my own,” he said.

Marchanne dedicated this fourth win to his friend Paola and Aldo, his coach.

Third placed and first Maltese home Jimmy Sacco said he never expected to do so well. “Last October I ran the Amsterdam Marathon where I finished third in the Over 40 category and 50th overall from 16,000 athletes. But it is the first time here that I have finished in such an exalted place. I am obviously satisfied with my performance. Now I hope God will give me the strength to continue training to do better in future,” he said.

Cecilia Fenech said this was a special race for her. “I really wanted to win it because it was my tenth time taking part and I had won it ten years ago, in 1995. I am happy with the time, as I had not been training so vigorously. Last May in Vienna, I had clocked 2:57.10, but my best in Malta remains 3:00.03,” she said.

Charles Cilia, Half Marathon winner for the fourth time, said this year’s event was the most difficult so far. “In the last 15 days, I had not trained properly. I will soon be taking part in the full marathon in Rome and so my preparations were for a full marathon. This was part of the training for that race, but I am satisfied with my win. It was a good race with Jonathan. In the last mile, I thought I had lost it, but I emerged stronger with my sprint in the final 150 metres. Now I’m looking forward to getting a place in the athletics team for the Small Nations Games where I hope to participate in the10,000m event,” he said.

Jonathan Balzan was a bit disappointed that he had to be content again with the second place for the third time. “It was only in the last few metres that I lost the race. I was slow compared to last year, but I was not feeling well especially during the past three weeks. It is heart-breaking to lose, but I am still happy with my performance,” he stated.

Carol Galea is still in a class of her own in the Half Marathon for women. Yesterday’s win was her 12th from 14. “Every time I win, I appreciate each race more and more. I suffered an injury in a fall during training some days ago, but despite everything, I wanted to go on. Now I’m looking forward to participation at the Small Nations Games where I hope to race in the 5,000m and 10,000m. I hope to be able to establish a first in the sense that I will be aiming to win two gold medals, by winning the two events,” she claimed.