Maltese long-distance runner Dillon Cassar set a new national record at the Valencia Half Marathon which was held on Sunday.
The Mellieħa AC runner completed the distance in one hour six minutes and 11 seconds. His time was well below his own previous national best of 1:06.45 he had set in the Berlin Half Marathon last August.
Cassar’s performance in Valencia not only sees him set a new national mark over the distance but also earns him a berth to represent Malta at the World Half Marathon that will be held in China next March.
“National Record Half Marathon beaten again!!,” Cassar wrote on his facebook page.
“1.06.11 unofficial time and making QS for world half marathon!!
“Thanks alot go to @marc_roig for putting me on elite list for this year’s half marathon. Big thanks to all who supported me and always behind my back my friends, family and girlfriend your support means the world to me.
“Thanks to my coach my dad for always working together harder and smarter and getting results is just our pay check of our training!!
“A big thank you goes team @melliehaac and all my sponsors. Thanks to @athleticsmalta and @maltabeactive for there support !!”
Cassar will now join his national team team-mates for a training camp in Formia, Italy.
The race was won by Alex Kipchumba, of Kenya, who crossed the finish line in 58 minutes and seven seconds.
The Valencia Half Marathon also saw Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopa setting a new national record when storming home in a time of 1:02.52.
Cassar’s club Mellieħa AC heaped praise on the performance of Cassar but also to two other representatives – Aaron Mifsud and Matthew Scicluna.
“A huge well done to our Elite athlete Dillon Cassar in breaking the HM NR in a time of 1:06:11. Dillon broke his NR obtained in Berlin last August,” Mellieħa AC said in a statement.
“Great results have also been registered by Aaron Mifsud and Matthew Scicluna, who both registered a PB in a time of 1:11:55 and 1:12:10 respectively.”
