Alan Camilleri had the better of his training partner Andrew Grech to secure victory in the SportMalta Charity Marathon that was held on Sunday morning.
The Evolve Endurance Club runner completed the 42.195km route, that started from Mdina Gate in Rabat and came to a close at Sliema Ferries, in a time of two hours 33 minutes and 18 seconds.
Camilleri finished more than eight minutes clear of his club team-mate Andrew Grech who crossed the finish line in two hours 41 minutes and 44 seconds.
Alan Camilleri with his first reaction after winning the SportMalta Charity Marathon. Video: Matthew Mirabelli
Mellieħa AC runner Clyde Sciberras completed the podium when placing third in a time of 2:56.41.
“This win today is the result of years of hard work and sacrifices,” Camilleri told the Times of Malta.
“I have been involved in long-distance running for 12 years and today’s result is, without doubt, the highest moment in my career. After running in the Valencia Marathon in December, where I clocked 2:35, today I managed to further lower my best time to 2:33.
“I dedicate this win to God who gave me the strength to run today’s race, my coach Has Kesra with whom I have been working for the past 12 years and made the runner that I am today.
“I am also grateful to my club and my team-mates for my support and in particular to Andrew Grech who has been my inspiration for several years and I want to dedicate today’s win to him.”
Camilleri is more known in the Maltese sporting fraternity as an established FIFA Assistant Referee.
Asked how he manages to do both sport at the same time, Camilleri said: “Well it’s not easy. But I have a message for all young athletes. Sport has really changed my life. When I was 17 I didn’t do any discipline but when I started my career as a referee, sport changed my life.
“Then I start long-distance running and although I had to do a lot of sacrifices, but if you are self-disciplined, dedicated and good in time management you can achieve anything.
In the women’s race, Margaret Cremona secured overall victory in her first-ever full marathon when she crossed the finish line in three hours 32 minutes and 45 seconds.
