On Saturday, 2 October the St Vincent De Paul Running Group held their ninth activity: a 1km Fun Run and a 5km Race.

These races were organised under the auspices of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association. The main sponsors were APS Bank Ltd, Nestle’ Fitness and Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport and Kristal Table Water was the official drink for the occasion.

Bastjanizi FM was the official radio station and Socjeta Filarmonika Pinto – Qormi entertained the public.

187 participants ran the 1km Fun Run, and 204 athletes, with ages ranging from 15 to 73 years, participated in the 5km race, including many of the top Maltese athletes from the main athletic clubs.

The lottery consisting of 65 prizes was drawn in front of many of the participants and their families. Those present could take their prize home. All the participants of the 1km and 5km races were eligible for this lottery. Among the prizes was an 18 Speed Ideal Beretta Parashock mountain bike offered by Pedal Power, Gwardamangia and Mosta.

The first race was the 1km Fun Run. During this race, the participants ran around the ring road of the Residence. This activity was open to all and a large number of employees, as well as residents on wheelchairs took part. All participants were given a commemorative token and a Nestle’ goody bag.

The second race was the 5km Race. Up to the 2km, Cyril Merle (AS Romagnat) was leading, followed by Jonathan Balzan (St Patrick’s AC) and Gerald Grech (AS Libertas). This group was followed by Joseph Saliba (Zurrieq Wolves), Adrian Mifsud (Zurrieq Wolves) and Allister Bezzina (AAAC). Melvin Mifsud (Zurrieq Wolves) was gaining momentum and in the 3.5km managed to overrun Melvin Mifsud, Allister Bezzina and Joseph Saliba. Cyril Merle finished the race in 15’19, second Jonathan Balzan (15’45), third Gerald Grech (15’50), 4th Melvin Mifsud (16’18), 5th Joseph Saliba (16’18), 6th Allister Bezzina (16’22) and 7th Adrian Mifsud (16’26).

Cyril Merle, who clocked 15’19, broke the record on the route, held by Jonathan Balzan since last year.

In the Ladies Category, after 3km, Lisa Bezzina (Athleta Pembroke) led the race, followed by Angela Sammut (St Patrick’s AC) , Rita Galea (St Patrick’s AC), Mona Lisa Camilleri (AS Libertas) and Anna Laura Mugno (G.S. Lammari). AnnaLaura Mugno overrun MonaLisa Camilleri in the fourth kilometre and kept these position up to the end of the race and in fact, Lisa Bezzina finished first (18’38), Angela Saliba second (19’03) and Rita Galea third (19’14) and fourth place went to Annalaura Mugno (19’22).

Besides a trophy and €240 in Hilly products distributed among the winners which was sponsored by Barry M. Whitmore, prize money of €50, €35 and €25 was given to the first, second and third males and females respectively. A commemorative medal, 50% discount vouchers on Hilly products and a Nestle’ goody bag including a T-Shirt were given to all participants. An optional free massage was offered to all 5km participants by Angelo Saliba.

The trophies for the first, second and third male employees at the Residence were won by Melvin Mifsud, Adrian Mifsud and Carmel D’Amato; while the Female winners were Elisabeth Pisani, Lydsey Micallef and Marthese Cini respectiviely.

The special prizes for the first male and first female employee who work in the Health Sector were won by Marlon Deguara and Margaret Seguna respectively.

The Golden Trophy for the first male and female members of the St Vincent De Paul Running Group were won by Christian Micallef and Marianne Azzopardi respectively.

The Sadia Mizzi Best Effort Trophy was given to Paul Fenech, who at the age of 73, was the eldest participant in the 5km race. He finished the race in 42’30.

The trophies were distributed by Mr Clyde Puli, Parliamentary Secretary for Youths and Sports, Peter Micallef, Assistant Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Elderly and Care in the Community, Dr Stephanie Xuereb, Director, Elderly and Care in the Community, and Dr Ronald Fiorentino, Medical Superintendent, St Vincent De Paul Residence, Alfred Briffa, Manager Nursing Services, St Vincent de Paul Residence and Patrick Aquilina, Manager Marketing Unit - APS Bank Ltd.