The St Vincent De Paul Running Group held the 10th edition of the 5km race. The special programme to celebrate this special occasion, carried the slogan ‘A decade on the run’ and was held in aid of the Community Chest Fund.
These races were organised under the auspices of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association. The main sponsor was APS Bank Limited and Kristal (The General Soft Drinks Co Ltd) was the official mineral water for the occasion. Kiss FM was the official radio station.
One hundred and sixty six participants ran the 1km Fun Run, and 173 athletes, ages ranging from 15 to 74 years, participated in the 5km race, including many of the top Maltese athletes from the main athletic clubs.
The lottery consisting of 68+ 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, of Gwardamangia, Iklin 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 goody bag.
The second race was the 5km. The ‘Start’ was near the gates of the residence, and the route went through Mdina Road and Aldo Moro Road, through the Marsa Sports Ground, through Manwel Dimech Road and Mdina Road and uphill back to the residence, an excellent route for the athletes and a well-marshalled one.
Up to the 2.5 km Martin Jason (Mellieha AC) and Gerald Grech (Libertas AC) were leading, but eventually Martin Jason managed to take the lead. Mark Herrera (Athleta Pembroke AC) managed to shorten the gap. Jason finished the race in 15’47. Grech overtook Herrera on the finish line and finished second (16’01). Herrera finished third (16’01), fourth was Brian Magri (Athleta Pembroke AC) (16’10), fifth Simon Spiteri (St Patrick’s AC) (16’37).
In the Ladies Category, Giselle Camilleri (St Patrick’s AC) finished first (17’31), Angela Sammut (St Patrick’s AC) was second (18’23), Carmen Hili (St Patrick’s AC) third (18’32). Fourth place went to Francesca Arrigo (Ladies Running Club) (19’25).
Besides a trophy, prize money of €50, €35 and €25 were given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd males and females respectively. A commemorative medal and a 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 1st, 2nd and 3rd male employees at the residence were won by Adrian Mifsud, Puzharathuve Shaigu and Carmel D’Amato; while the female winners were Elizabeth Pisani, Marianne Azzopardi and Audrey Micallef respectively.
The special prizes for the first male and first female employee who work in the Health Sector were won by Noel Spiteri and Natalie Borg respectively.
The Golden Trophy for the first male and female members of the St Vincent De Paul Running Group was won by Christian Micallef and Elizabeth Pisani respectively.
The Sadia Mizzi Best Effort Trophy was given to Paul Fenech, who at the age of 74, was the eldest participant in the 5km race. He finished the race in 46’37.
The prizes for the categories were awarded as follows:
1st Male U/16 - Fenech Soler Benji
1st Male U/19 – Sant Bertrand
1st Male U/20 – Micallef Benji
1st Female U/16 – Pace Elena
1st Female U/17 – Abela Catherine
1st Male O/35 – Cutajar Matthew
O/40 - Mifsud Adrian
O/45 - Sammut David
O/50 - Pisani Mario
O/55 - Farrugia Joseph
O/60 - Debono Alfred
O/65 - Moss Derek
1st Female O/35 – Borda Denise
O/4O - Pisani Elisabeth
O/45 - Dimech Mary
O/50 - Fenech Cecilia
O/55 – Falzon Mary
A special trophy was given to eight participants who took part in the 10 editions of the SVPR 5km race since 2002. These athletes were (in alphabethical order):
Briffa Alfred, Catania Aldo, Fenech Paul, Ghiller Wally, Grima Paul, Higgans Christopher, Jones David and Micallef Charles.
Commemorative trophies were given to the Director, Kiss FM, Banda San Vincenz, Malta Amateur Radio League, Qrendi Scouts, Tarxien Scouts and 1st Hamrun Scouts, and to Dr Sue Mercieca who presided over the prize giving ceremony.
The trophies were distributed by Peter Micallef, Parliamentary Assistant within the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care, James Carabott, Hospital Planning Manager, SVPR, James Xuereb, Trade Marketing Executive, The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd., Patrick Aquilina, Manager APS Bank and Ms Miriam Cassar, Acting Manager Nursing Services, SVPR.