Dillon Cassar, Josann Attard Pulis secure podium places
Over 4,000 runners from 65 different countries, battled the tough weather conditions at the La Valette Marathon with foreign runners taking the main honours.
All races held on Sunday were inevitably effected by the strong winds that hit the islands overnight with all participants struggling to clock their fastest times due to the tough conditions.
The full marathon was dominated by foreign athletes with Cosmas Kigen finished as a clear-cur winner when strolling home in two hours 24 minutes and 43 seconds. Omar Hassan was second in 2:31.06 while Martin Olesen completed the podium in 2:38.06.
Kigen said that he liked the route with all its challenges.
“It was a challenging race with a lot of ups and downs but I really like the race course,” Kigen said.
“Obviously, the wind made it very difficult and slowed me a bit but it was ok. But overall it was a great experience and I plan to come back next year.”
Mark Herrera confirmed his rich vein of form when he was the first Maltese athlete home when crossing the finish line seventh in 2:53.08.
The women’s race saw the victory of Nancy Githaiga in 2:45.58 while Kataryna Chojacka was second in 3:12.53.
Third place went to Maltese long-distance runner Josann Attard Pulis who crossed the finish line in three hours 18 minutes and 33 seconds.
In the half-marathon, it was Kenyan Kipchirchir Kemboi Amos who took victory when he completed the race in a time of one hour eight minutes and 20 seconds.
Dillon Cassar took second place when he crossed the finish line in one hour nine minutes and 19 seconds to become the first Maltese athlete to complete the distance.
“It was a tough day today due to the strong winds that hit the race course,” Cassar said.
“But despite the tough conditions I was very happy with my performance as I managed to keep the pace with two Kenyan runners who have a much better level than mine.
“We stayed close until the eighth and ninth kilometre and then one of the Kenyans started to struggle more and remained behind us.
“In the final stages, Amos started to pull away to win the race but I managed to keep strong and place second in a reasonably good time given the tough conditions faced.”
Young Maltese runner Tommy Wallbank, who has shown real promise in road racing in the past few years, managed to finish on the podium when placing third in one hour 13 minutes and 20 seconds.
“It was not easy today due to the conditions, having strong winds and humidity,” Wallbank said.
“I am tired but at the same time, I am satisfied as I managed to finish in third place with quite a good time considering everything we had to face in terms of the weather.
“The toughest part was in the Mcast area but I fought on. This is a tough and challenging race but the views it provides are very beautiful so it’s very attractive for the participants.”
In the women’s category, victory went to Chelangat Sang who completed the distance in one hour 16 minutes and 24 minutes.
Czett Lilla was second in 1:31.06 while Malta’s Marija Cumbo placed third on 1:31.43.
There was a Maltese winner in the 10K race as Leon Chetcuti took the tape in first place when clocking a time of 33 minutes and 58 seconds.
Chetcuti finished ahead of Tirron Mamusha who placed second in 34.13 while Jonatan Dominguez completed the podium on 34.20, finishing ahead of another Maltese runner Roderick Cilia (34.39).
Celia Balanche won the women’s race in 42.35 while Lai Gil Clapera was second in 42.46.
Lucie Lucas was third on 43.33.
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