There were mixed results for the two local teams taking part in the world schools cross-country championships in Malta.

In the races held last Tuesday, the girls team, taking part in the 3,400 metre run, finished 12th out of 21 teams, while the boys team, racing over a 5,300 metre run, finished 20th out of the same number of teams.

In the girls event, Clarissa Cremona was first Maltese girl home. She finished 41st in 13 minutes and 36 seconds. Nicole Gatt placed 52nd in a time of 14.03, Ylenia Pace, 71st in 14.42, Francesca Borg, 72nd in 14.43 and Carla Micallef 114th in 16.57.

China’s Xiangyu Zhang won the event in 11.44 minutes. She was followed by two other Chinese runners, Jiahui Wang, and Haimeng Cui in second and third places.

In the men’s event, first Maltese athlete home was Kurt Dalli. He finished 70th in 19.29 minutes. Andrea Caruana clocked 20.25 to finish 89th, just ahead of Thomas Farrugia in 90th, who clocked 20.28. Samuel Attard and Benji Salerno were 98th and 99th respectively in 20.40 and 20.41 minutes.

The event was won by Ahmed Slimane of Algeria who clocked 16.31. Second was Nikolaus Franzmair of Austria in 16.42 and third Bulent Gunen of Turkey in 16.52.

The boys run was won by Jacob Birthwhistle of Australia in 16.44, but it was England which won overall in an average time of 11.36.

The girls event was won by Natalia Hackett of England in 16.14. Australia were, however, declared winners in an average time of 16.29.