The ninth edition of the Birkirkara St. Josoeph 5K Road Running Series took off with favourites Gerald Grech and Angele Sammut ensuring a victory in these early stages. Grech’s victory was his first one in this Series since Decmber 2008, while Sammut resumed where she left last year, when she won the final race in December.

Gerald Grech (AS Libertas) finished the race in 16 minutes, 44 seconds ahead of Aaron Mifsud (Pembroke Athleta) who finished in 16 minutes, 57 seconds, and Simon Spiteri (St. Patrick’s A.C.) who clocked 16 minutes 58 seconds.

Angele Sammut was pushed all the way in the women’s race. Her finishing time of 18 minutes, 44 seconds was only 12 seconds better than her St. Patrick’s team-mate Carmen Hili. Veteran Cecilia Fenech (Zurrieq Wolves) finished third in 19 minutes, 51 seconds.

The second race will be held on Tuesdayat Mtarfa, starting at 7pm.