University ring-road run and walk in aid of Hospice Malta

The fourth edition of the University Ring Road Fun Run/Walk & Relay was organised on Sunday 12th April 2015 by Malta University Sports & Leisure, which is a branch of Malta University Holding Company (MUHC).

The start of the 5km run/walk. Photo by Stefan Stafrace)
The start of the 5km run/walk. Photo by Stefan Stafrace)

As with all previous editions of this event, half the proceeds were donated to Hospice Malta.

Hospice Malta offers Palliative Care services to persons suffering from cancer, motor neurone disease, terminal lung, heart and kidney disease. Hospice supports over 900 patients and their families every year and therefore donations such as the funds being donated from this event are crucial to ensure the continuation of Hospice services in Malta and Gozo, all of which are provided free of charge. The total amount donated to Hospice Malta from this event during the last year was €1,800.34.

A record number of 238 individuals took part in the 5km and 2km run/walk, 5km relay and 800m children’s fun run held on Sunday 12th April. Participants included Joe Azzopardi – Group CEO of MUHC, other University staff and students, a number of established triathletes and runners, a group of young triathletes from the Malta Youth Triathlon Academy and groups from FCM Bank and Ixaris Systems Ltd.

Keith Galea, national triathlon champion, won the 5km event in a time of 16 minutes 20 seconds, improving the course record which he had set in the previous edition by 25 seconds. Steve Chetcuti was second in a time of 17:27, followed by Barry Farrugia (17:40). Dermot Galea was fourth (17:47) and Neil Markham fifth (18:42), with these top 5 finishers all forming part of Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club. Markham was also the first University student, while Richard Gatt (21:30) was the first University employee to cross the finish line. In the female category, Nina Zammit was the overall winner and also first University student in a time of 21:30, followed by Stephanie Azzopardi (23:53) and Sylvana Borg Caruana (25:27). Dr Salvina Zrinzo (30:50) won the award for first University employee.

The 2km event was won by Jean Claude Randon (6:25), followed by Thomas Woods (7:53) and Andre Camilleri (8:04). Emma Vella was the female winner in the 2km event (8:34), followed by Emilia Vella (8:43) and Maria Ellul (9:20). For the first time, awards were also given in both the 5km and 2km events to age category winners. The 5km relay was won by DGtri Team in a new course record of 15:32, followed by two teams from Savio Athletic Club (15:37 and 17:15).

The 800m children’s fun run was all about participation and enjoyment, with children from the ages of 3 to 13 running around the track, encouraged – and in some cases accompanied – by parents and other relatives. Prizes were also awarded for the best fancy dress costume to a child and adult, with the colourful costumes adding to the fun atmosphere on the day.

The event, which served as a way to promote fitness and fun to people of all ages and different fitness levels, was organised with the support of the Emergency Fire Rescue Unit (EFRU), Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club, the Mosta Scout Group, Hospice volunteers, Antoine Mifsud and Ray Vella. The event was sponsored by Vertex Vending Services Ltd, CET Leisure, Garmin Malta & Medcomms Ltd, Brown & Rye, Jeffrey Cassar Photography, Stefan Stafrace Photography, Pierre Darmanin Photography, San Michel, GO, Noberasco, Raysun, Devon, Go & Fun Green Energy Drink Malta, Debenhams, Buff Malta and Horace Enterprises Ltd.

The results and photos of the event are available at www.universitysportsandleisure.com and on the Malta University Sports and Leisure Facebook page.  You may send an email to [email protected] for further information.

The next edition of the University Ring Road Fun Run/Walk & Relay will be held in October/November 2015.