In preparation for his 10km race to be held in Athens later on this year, Powerade winner Jonathan Balzan clinched another victory when he won the 21st edition of the 10km race organised by the Ladies Running Club (LRC) held last month in Ta’ Qali. Jonathan

Balzan finished the race in 33.05 minutes ahead of Jason Martin and Brian Magri who place second and third respectively.

When asked about his athletics career, Jonathan said, “To think that before I used to think of Athletics athletics as a way to stay physically active, I am glad I heeded by friends’ advice and started training under the supervision of a coach.”

Since then, Jonathan has come a long a way and his name features regularly among those finishing in the front places.

Balzan has been training since August to improve his timing and be in top form ahead of the 10km Road Race to be held in Novemberthis month in Athens. His training regime under the supervision of his coach Roger Zammit, includes track sessions during the week to build up on speed, long runs on Sundays to build up on mileage with recovery runs in between.

The General Soft Drinks Co Ltd (GSD), through its brand Powerade, awarded Jonathan Balzan with an all inclusive trip to Athens to participate in the 2011 Athens 10km Race race which will be held on 13 November 13, 2011 as he was the first Maltese Athlete athlete to finish the 26th edition of the Land Rover Malta Marathon held in February, 2011.

GSD supports initiatives that promote healthier life styles on an ongoing basis, so as to encourage more people to follow suit.

Jonathan added, “I cannot thank Powerade enough for giving me this unique opportunity”.

The Athens 10Km Road road Race race will start from and finish in the Panathinaikon Stadium. The course of the 10km Rroad Race race will be out and back, running the first 5km on the opposite direction of the Marathon Race and, then turning back and finishing in the Panathinaikon Stadium, on the original marathon course. The start of the race will be given at 09:309.30am.

The first half of the course is rather uphill, having some flat points on the way. It goes through one of the most central roads of Athens that is Vas. Sofias Avenue. It goes by the National Gallery, the Hilton Hotel, the glass statue of the Runner, the Liberty Park, the Megaro Mousikis (Music Hall), and the USA Embassy. At the level of the Athens Tower, the course follows Mesogeion Avenue, and then Michalakopoulou Street for a few minutes. The course goes uphill between the Police Academy and the turning point, which is in front of the “G. Gennimatas” Hospital. The rest of the course is considered rather easy, finishing in the Panathinaikon Stadium.

Powerade is a product of The Coca-Cola Company