Evergreen athletes Mario Grech and Carmen Hili showcased their exceptional skills and determination as they emerged victorious in the first leg of the BSJ 5km Road Running Series for 2023.

This exciting event, organised in collaboration with Corsa, kicked off in Mtarfa last week, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated three-part race series.

The Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club, which has been hosting this annual road running race for nearly two decades, introduced a slightly modified race course for this year’s event.

The most notable change was the start and finish line being placed on the newly resurfaced Mtarfa bridge, adding a touch of novelty to the competition.

The male category witnessed intense competition among the top contenders, namely Mario Grech, Andrew Grech, and Matthew Xuereb. These athletes pushed each other to their limits throughout the race, with the lead constantly shifting.

However, as the race progressed into the second lap, Mario Grech managed to create a gap between himself and his competitors. With an impressive surge of energy in the final stretch, Grech secured his well-deserved spot on the podium.

Andrew Grech and Xuereb finished closely behind, clinching second and third place, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the female category, veteran runner Carmen Hili demonstrated her exceptional skills and experience, dominating the race from start to finish.

Hili maintained a comfortable lead throughout the course, keeping a significant gap between her and the second-place finisher, Jade Mallia. Emma Fenech secured the third position in this highly competitive category.