What is proving to be one of the best contested events in recent years has now gone past the half-way mark with the conclusion of the third encounter at Ta’ Qali. Not an unfamiliar route for most of the runners taking part, this was the first time that the Association broke off its long appointment with Ghajn Tuffieha in favour of the flat open areas of the large plateau that was once a military airfield.

This was also by far the fastest course to date, where practically all contestants clocked impressive results that should go a long way towards the final classification. Indeed as only the best three results from the five encounters count for the final reckoning, this event should eclipse any one of the others where the going will not be as good.

In the team event for men the biggest losers were undoubtedly the first string from the St Patrick’s clan because less than four team-members turned up. St Patrick’s had been lying second before this event and clearly missed out on a day considered ideal for road running.

Their inability to present a team was very likely due to their presence in the Running Challenge a few days ago where one of their front-runners, Drew Lang, finished the first Maltese in.

On a more positive note, the Mellieha A team consolidated their lead and stretched it to nearly 18 minutes over their now nearest rivals Birkirkara St Joseph. This was a case of good solid teamwork as their foursome finished within the first nine runners in.

Not that Birkirkara are making it easy for the Blues from the North! Man of the moment James Douglas finished well under 33 minutes clocking 32.28 and his teammate John Buhagiar is clearly coming back into his own, piping at the post his ex-team mate at the now defunct Reebok Falcons, Robert Attard, the leading athlete for Mellieha, himself having a very impressive season.

The leaders are now on a total of 6 hours 54 minutes 25 seconds with Birkirkara second on 7 hours 11minutes 34 seconds and Zurrieq Wolves third with a total of 7 hours 21 minutes 4 seconds.

Posting the fastest times in all the three events so far, the Mellieha side have only to score well in the last two events to make sure of the title, but a slip such as one of their top athletes failing to run might prove to be costly.

The same can be said for the women’s event, although the team situation has evolved on different lines. After building what seemed to be a strong lead of over 10 minutes at the first outing at Zebbug, Pembroke Athleta did not field their strongest elements at il-Maqluba, where their nearest challengers St Patrick’s made up for lost ground to actually grab the lead.

At Ta’ Qali athletics’ queen Carol Walsh was back in action for Pembroke, her winning time over a minute ahead of Giselle Camilleri. Nevertheless, the girls in green, sporting a dashing new kit from their latest sponsor, posted enough good times to leave the Pembroke team 16 minutes adrift to extend their lead to over 31 minutes.

As great an advantage as it may seem, here again the title is still not won and lost, because in the last two events a strong presence of the main elements on one side and the lack of fire-power on the other side may determine the final result.

All credit at Ta’ Qali however still goes to St Patrick’s, as their foursome posted the fastest time yet as did Mellieha to win the men’s event. The latter recorded a total of 2 hours 15 minutes 28 seconds while the St. Patrick women posted 2 hours 41 minutes 23 seconds.

The next showdown will take place in Qawra in the New Year, with the final, determining challenge to be contested in Marsaskala. More or less, not counting any chickens before they hatch, the individual events seem to be more of a safe bet then the team titles.

Come what may the real winner this season will undoubtedly be the sport. Not only has there been a healthy increase in participation to offset the decline in participation by schoolchildren, but the team contests are proving to be a keen affair that make the event all the more interesting for everyone.