Athletics: Simon Spiteri, Lisa Bezzina win 10k Road Running Championship
4582 Mins Read
Simon Spiteri and Lisa Bezzina are the new 10k road running champions after winning the National Championship race held by Athletics Malta in Ta’ Qali.
Spiteri took home the men’s title winning the wind-battered race a strong 31:58. The St Patrick’s athlete finished ahead of Evolve duo Aidan Tanti (32:13) and Charlton Debono (32:43).
Among the women, Lisa Bezzina (Pembroke) reclaimed the title last won in 2023 with a 37:27 finish time, ahead of Rosalie Borg, also of Pembroke (38:47) and Josann Attard Pulis (39:51).
With the race also valid as the fifth of six legs for the National Road Running Series, Spiteri’s win, coupled with the absence of early front runners of the league Luke Micallef and Dillon Cassar, makes for an unexpected twist in the tale, as the St Patrick’s athlete leaps to the top of the table, ahead of Tanti and Debono.
Among the women, Bezzina’s dominance was never in doubt this season and she now requires one more win to complete a complete en-plein on the way to the title. Borg and Attard Pulis look also secured in their second and third placings.
In the club’s championship Evolve’s two podium places in Ta’ Qali spring the team in the lead of the overall table, overtaking Mellieħa, while Żurrieq remain in third.
Among the women, Pembroke have dominated the field, and they will be looking to formally celebrate their title, ahead of Żurrieq, in the final leg of the season, a 5k on the 16th March in Ta’ Qali, which will also serve as the National 5k Championship.
Young athletes shine in Senior Balkan Championships
Malta’s two representatives in the Senior Balkan Athletics Championships held in Serbia this weekend delivered top-level performance alongside top international athletes form Central and Eastern Europe. Isaac Bonnici competed in the 800m, and with a time of 1:55.55 established a new national indoor Under 20 and Under 23 record. Thea Parnis Coleiro also delivered a strong performance on the 60m, finishing in 7.80s just 0.03 seconds shy of her indoor personal best.
