Corsa’s Beat Your PB final race on Nov. 23, four national records set during series

Saturday, November 23, will see the final edition of Corsa’s Beat Your PB series for 2024.

This highly-anticipated event, endorsed by national athlete and sponsored runner Andrew Grech, features a super-flat and fast out-and-back 2.5K course, starting from Xemxija and turning back at Manikata, concluding at the starting point in Xemxija.

The Beat Your PB series has become a staple event for running enthusiasts in Malta, recognised not only for its ability to help runners achieve personal bests but also for breaking national records.

The event has garnered a strong following and significant recognition in the running community, with impressive performances expected once again on November 23.

The most recent edition, held on June 7 in Ta’ Xbiex, was a record-breaking success, witnessing three new national records.

Dillon Cassar, one of Corsa’s ambassador athletes, shattered the national record for the 5K road race with an astonishing time of 14 minutes and 32 seconds.

Cassar’s remarkable year includes sponsorship in events such as the Istanbul Half Marathon, 5K Vienna Night Run, and 10K Berlin, with more races to come.

Charlton Debono also lowered his personal best, finishing second with a time of 15:25 and setting a new national record in the 35-39 male category.

Meanwhile, seasoned runner Charlie Cilia, who finished 10th, set a new national record in the male 55-59 age group with a time of 16:17.

Earlier this year, Cilia also broke the national 10K record in his age category during the first Beat Your PB series on March 10, solidifying his reputation as a record-setter.

Matthew Pace, Corsa’s Race Director and CEO, shared his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled with the feedback from our runners, with the majority of participants beating their personal bests in both Beat Your PB events.

“At Corsa, our ethos is inspired by the Latin adage ‘Mens sana in corpore sano’ – a healthy mind in a healthy body.

“Our goal is not just about achieving faster times; it’s about embracing a journey of physical and mental growth. Beat Your PB was born from the idea of pushing your limits, and the results speak for themselves.”

Andrew Grech, a national athlete with over 24 years of running experience, has firmly established himself as one of the fastest long-distance runners on the island.

His impressive career includes multiple victories in local and international races and setting the national half marathon record with his club, Evolve Endurance.

Grech’s passion for running began more than two decades ago following a football injury, and since then, he has won Malta’s National Road Running League multiple times, recording over a hundred first-place finishes.

“Beat Your PB is a series of running events designed by athletes for athletes and running enthusiasts,” said Grech.

 “The goal is to help runners achieve their personal bests on select routes that are minimal in elevation, fast, flat, scenic, safe, and certified.

The first Beat Your PB series in March enabled runners like Charlie Cilia to not only break a national record in his age category but also to set official timings in distance races.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of beating your own personal best, let alone breaking a national record for your age category twice in a row like Cilia. That’s what Beat Your PB is all about.”

The upcoming 5K race, which is certified by AIMS (Association of International Mara-thons and Distance Races), will start at 7am from Xemxija.

Participants are invited to set a motivational benchmark for personal achievement, record official timings, or qualify for official rankings in international 5K races, including the GSSE (Games of the Small States of Europe).

In addition to the main race, the event will also feature family-friendly races, including a 1K Competitive Kids Run and a 500M Fun Run for all ages, in which parents can also partake.

With an accurate and consistent course, runners can trust the event to deliver another premier racing experience in Beat Your PB’s third and final edition for 2024.

As race day approaches, runners are urged to register to secure their spot on the starting line.

 Participants can register for the via CORSA’s Facebook events pages or the Active platform.

Corsa’s Facebook Event Pages: https://www.facebook.com/corsamalta/events

Active Platform Tickets: SHORT LINK: bit.ly/BeatYourPB23Nov