This Malta Amateur Athletic Association annual event has become a regular feature in the athletic calendar during the winter months. An analysis of the first race in the series, at Zebbug, reveals that while the event seems to be growing in popularity among the older generations this year has probably seen the lowest turnout as regards schoolchildren from the secondary level.

With the national conscience focused on the increase of obesity in children, one would expect that the education authorities, instigated by the health sector, would promote vigorously this pure form of exercise. The practise of the sport of athletics, in its simplest form, involves minimal expense to the individual youngster, but indeed, a huge chunk of commitment and some sacrifice is necessary from the mentors charged with the formation of character and the moulding of Maltese society.

As for the prognostic for the current season, Mellieha AC appears determined to make their 15th year of existence a memorable one. Fielding a strong selection of established names in the event for men, some of whom took up the club colours this year, the northern club emerged victorious at Zebbug and now enjoy a slender lead over St Patrick’s, with Birkirkara St Joseph well placed as the other closest threat in the team event.

On the individual level, changes to the competition rules should ensure that the winner would not emerge until the very end of the series, such that no club can afford any slips. In fact, with each athlete afforded the luxury of discarding his/her worst two times from the five events on offer, where the routes have been carefully selected for road surface and flat terrain, a bad day or trivial injury can be easily forgotten and the setback overcome.

The leading team among the women, Pembroke Athleta, enjoys a healthier advantage over their rivals compared to the male competition.

Their leaders in the individual classification, Carol Galea and Lisa Marie Bezzina, are probably too strong for their rivals and both, especially the former, have already built up a comfortable lead.

The battle for the individual honours among the men is much closer. At present, it is James Douglas, for Birkirkara St Joseph, who flies the flag but with the likes of Charles Cilia and Robert Attard (Mellieha), Gerald Grech (AS Libertas), Mark Herrera (Pembroke), Jonathan Balzan and Drew Lang (St Patrick’s) and to a lesser extent John Buhagiar (Birkirkara), to mention a few, he certainly will not afford to slacken the pace. A final mention should go to the Zurrieq equipe. Their good, solid team running had them five times among the top three clubs during the last six seasons, four of which in second place.