The seventh edition of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Triathlon Series got underway last Sunday at Birzebbuga with a 750 metre swim, a 20 kilometre cycle and a five kilometre run. National team triathletes Keith Galea and Danica Spiteri registered their first victories in this series, following their brilliant performances in the Triathlon Championships of the Small States of Europe held last month in Cyprus.

It was only in the final five kilometre run that Galea made sure of his victory on the tough Birzebbuga route. Galea’s Team mate Luke Bonnici maintained a good challenge up to the run, until the former began to widen the gap.

Brian Magri, who worked his way up from eighth place at the end of the swim to third place at the beginning of the run, got past Bonnici and set his eyes on the leader.

Despite Magri’s 16 minutes 30 seconds run, he could not catch the leader who finished the race in 1 hour 2 minutes 56 seconds. Magri clocked 1 hour 4 minutes 11 seconds, while Luke Bonnici was third in 1 hour, 5 minutes 2 seconds.

Six females contested this sprint triathlon at Birzebbuga. Malta champion Danica Spiteri cruised home unchallenged in 1 hour 9 minutes 13 seconds. Second was Donatelle Callus in 1 hour 15 minutes 58 seconds and third finished last year’s series winner Michelle Wood in 1 hour 17 minutes 11 seconds.

The race was held under the auspices of the Malta Triathlon Association and sponsored by Red Bull.

The next race in this series will be held on 8 July starting at 7am at Salina Bay.