Andrew Grech, Jemima Farley win the 2024 Eurosport BSJ Fleur-de-Lys 10k Race

Tommy Wallbank, Mona Lisa Camilleri take 5km Race honours

Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club wrapped up its multisport calendar of events for 2024 on Republic Day with its annual Eurosport BSJ Fleur-de-Lys Races. 

The races were held in support of the YMCA and in memory of Jake Vella, a much loved athlete who sadly passed away earlier on this year.

Once again, the races proved their popularity having attracted a large crowd of athletes who had the option of two distances to choose from. 

The two-loop 10km course and the 5km course around Birkirkara and Mriehel outskirts.

Prior to the start of each distance, Josie Vella, Jake’s father, shared a few words with the athletes, thanking them for remembering his son and keeping his memory alive.

Athletes competing in the 5km distance were first to start.  

Tommy Wallbank took the lead from the very start settling into a steady pace which gave him a comfortable advantage over second-placed Andy Camilleri and third-placed Charles Micallef.  

Mona Lisa Camilleri took the lead and eventual win in the females’ category, crossing the finish line 30 seconds ahead of Isaura Camilleri. In third place was Ritianne Zammit. 

In the 10km race, Andrew Grech, Matthew Scicluna, and Matthew Xuereb emerged as the frontrunners, closely contesting each other throughout.

 Grech ultimately completed the two-loop course with a 12-second lead over Scicluna, who secured second place, narrowly edging out Xuereb by just three seconds.

Meanwhile, Jemima Farley finished fourth overall in the 10km race, dominating the women’s category with a commanding lead.

Catherine Chetcuti secured second place, narrowly edging out Carmen Hili, who claimed third, by just one second.

Trophies and prizes to the overall and age group winners were presented by Brian Cremona, Eurosport Malta’s Head of  Marketing and Raymond Grech, Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club president.  

Two €100 vouchers from Eurosport were raffled amongst athletes present. 

In addition to the prizes, athletes were eligible to participate in a raffle in which two Garmin Index S2 Smart Scales were given courtesy of Medcomms Ltd, agents of Garmin in Malta.

The winners were Jonathan Balzan and Maria Vella-Galea.

“Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club concludes another busy year of multisport events with the successful Fleur-De-Lys Race. We are deeply grateful for the support of Eurosport Malta, Garmin Malta, and all the athletes who participate in our events,” said Euchar Camilleri, secretary general of Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club.

The Club will soon announce its 2025 events calendar, featuring athletics, cycling, open water swimming, and triathlon.