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SWIM BIKE RUN |
The red Bull Birkirkara Tree day triathlon challenge.
The innovative three day sports manifestation introduced recently by Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club in and near home town, was a very successful experience with top honours shared by established athletes in their respective sports. The events including swimming, cycling and running had their timing accumulated into a triathlon and where sponsored by Red Bull.
Alex Cutajar First in the swim.
The events started at the national pool on Friday with a 1500 metre distance swim. As expected the young Alex Cutajar of Birkirkara St. Joseph was first in 21minutes 26.5 seconds, followed by his team mates Dermot Galea (22min.29sec) and Gordon Camenzuli (24min 5sec) the later showing a considerable improvement and a serious challenge for the triathlon honours. First in the ladies category was Maria Mifsud Bonnici from B’Kara club clocking 26 min 8sec. Second and third where her team mates Debbie Micallef Eynaud at 28 min 68 sec and new club recruit Isabelle Zarb in 28 min 34 sec.
Michael Gellel wins the 10 km run.
B’Kara St. Joseph have rerouted the B’Kara 10km road race opting for the safer and faster B’Kara bypass. For the first lap of the race Michael Gellel of St. Patrick’s AC and Gerald Degaetano (Allcomers AC) opened a gap on Dermot Galea. As the race progressed Gellel surged into a lead which was comfortable enough to see him finish in 33min 30 sec, which was a 21sec faster than Degaetano, with Dermot Galea finishing third in 36 min 45 sec after being seriously threatened by Club mate Gordon Camenzuli. The ladies race was a battle to the finish between Marylynn Bezzina of B’Kara St. Joseph and Jacqueline Galea of Mellieha AC. At the end only ten seconds was the lead that Bezzina had in the final last km surge to the finish. Bezzina’s time of 42min 32 sec put her in pole position for the final day of the triathlon.
36km Cycling Time Trial. - J. Schiavone in first place.
The cool but beautiful weather prevailing through out the three days of the events, was ideal for some fast and powerful cycling in the third edition of the Birkirkara Cycling Time Trial. Under the watchfull eyes of the cycling federation officials and coaches, national team cyclists preparing for the forthcoming Games for the small States of Europe, turned on some good performances, with J. Schiavone and Joseph Cremona of Melita Cycling Club, finishing first and second in 52minutes 21 seconds and Cremona in 53minutes 13 seconds. Third to reach the massive Red Bull tent at the finish was Discus Raleigh rider Brian Magri in 54 minutes 45 seconds. Birkirkara St. Joseph female triathletes dominated the ladies category. Maria Mifsud Bonnici, after winning the swim on Friday, registered the fastest time on the bike, winning the second race of the serious in 71 minutes 58 seconds. Team mates Marylynn Bezzina who clocked 74 minutes 7 seconds placed second and Isabelle Zarb taking the third spot.
Dermot Galea and Marylynn Bezzina win the Triathlon.
Malta Triathlon champion Dermot Galea of Birkirkara St. Joseph and club mate Marylynn Bezzina had the best accumulated times in their respective categories, to win this three day triathlon challenge. Galea’s overall time was one hour 57 minutes and 53 seconds followed by Gordon Camenzuli (Birkirkara St. Joseph) in 2 hours 8 minutes and 4 seconds, with Michael Gellel (St. Patrick’s) surprisingly grabbing third place in 2 hours 13 minutes 37 second. Following her good performance in the 10km race, Marylynn Bezzina emerged victorious with the accumulated time of 2 hours 25 minutes 28 seconds, followed by team mates Maria Mifsud Bonnici (2:27:26) and Isabelle Zarb (2:30:50).
This first 3day event was first time organized by Malta club champions Birkirkara St. Joseph. The club would like to thank all sponsors and Red Bull for being main sponsor. The club looks forward to organize the second day challenge with more international athletes in first year of the centuary.
E-mail for race details and contacts.
