Micallef, Pulis take top honours in Żurrieq Half Marathon

Simon Spiteri, Roberta Schembri triumph in 10K race

The 2022 edition of the Express Trailers Żurrieq Half Marathon and 10km returned with a promising start after an absence of two years when the last two editions were not held due to COVID-19.

The race attracted the country’s top road runners who battled it out and managed to achieve some impressive timings.

The Half Marathon was dominated by Athleta Pembroke’s Luke Micallef who came in first in one hour eight minutes and 12 seconds. 

Mellieħa AC’s Aaron Mifsud placed second in 1:12.01 and Chris Micallef, of Evolve Endurance Club, in a time of 1:12.26.

Josann Attard Pulis took the honours in the women’s race with a time of 1:25.15 ahead of Marija Cumbo (Mellieħa AC) who clocked 1:29.13 and Allcomers AC’s Lena Sammut (1:39.11).

St Patrick AC’s Simon Spiteri topped the 10K race in a time of 32 minutes and three seconds. Gabriel Farrugia finished just five seconds behind while Shaun Galea, of Evolve Endurance Club, was third in 32.37.

Roberta Schembri, of Evolve Endurance Club, was the first female athlete to cross the finish line in 35:27 followed by team-mate Maria Attard (41.27) while Doreen Camilleri, of Żurrieq Wolves, was third in 42.30.

A one-kilometre race for children was organised for the first time to promote the event to a younger audience.

In the boys’ category, Ishmael Grima, of Shamrock Stars, won the race in five minutes and nine seconds ahead of team-mate Nathan Pace (5.11) and Isaac Luca Scicluna (5.24).

In the girls’ category, Martina Mintoff, of Żurrieq Wolves, claimed top place with a time of 6.33.

Nicola Micallef (6.38) and Martina Scicluna (6.47) came in second and third place respectively.

“Watching the comeback of this road running event was a huge satisfaction for us at Express Trailers and we are proud that through a three-year sponsorship commitment, we have placed this very popular race back on track to becoming one of the top road races in Malta,” Express Trailers said in a statement.

“We are sure that this year’s success will contribute to an even bigger edition in 2024”.

Just over 800 athletes applied to participate in the Express Trailers Żurrieq event, 300 of these for the half marathon and the rest, for the 10km run.