Lisa Marie Bezzina wins Pisa Half Marathon for fourth time

David Borg places third in men’s race

Maltese athletics enjoyed a triumphant day at the Pisa Half Marathon as Lisa Marie Bezzina won the women’s race while David Borg produced a strong run in the men’s category to place third overall on Sunday.

For Bezzina this was her fourth triumph in the Pisa Half Marathon as she managed to complete the distance in a time of one hour 19 minutes 46 seconds.

The veteran Maltese runner, winner of two gold medals at the Montenegro GSSE, finished well clear of British runner Hannah Russell, who crossed the finish line over three minutes behind in 1:22.51.

Italy’s Francesca Bianchini completed the podium when placing third in a time of 1:31.13.

“I did it again,” Bezzina wrote on her facebook page.

“Four-times winner of the Pisa Half Marathon. I dedicate this win to my friend Ryan Tonna who passed away a few years ago here in this race and will always remain in my heart.

“I would like to thank SportMalta, the Maltese Olympic Committee, Athletics Malta and my club Pembroke Athleta for all their support as well all my sponsors for their continuous assistance.

“Obviously I have words of gratitude to all my family who are always there behind me.”

In the men’s category, David Borg also impressed as the 20-year-old managed to place third overall.

Borg ran the distance in a time of one hour ten minutes and 34 seconds to go on the final step of the podium.

More impressively for the young runner, is the fact that his effort in Pisa puts him among the top 50 European runners in the U-23 category.

The race was won by Alessio Terrasi, of Italy, who clocked a time of one hour six minutes and 32 seconds.

His compatriot Youssef Khatoui took second place in 1:09.51.