Keith Galea and Hannah Pace dominate first race of the BSJ Sprint Triathlon Series 2015

Keith Galea (Birkirkara St. Joseph) and Hannah Pace (Pembroke Athleta) emerged winners of the first race of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Sprint Triathlon Series held in hot sweltering conditions.

2015 Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club Sprint Triathlon Series Male Podium Left to Right - 2nd Place - Graham Borg,  1st Place - Keith Galea, 3rd Place - Fabio Spiteri
2015 Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club Sprint Triathlon Series Male Podium Left to Right - 2nd Place - Graham Borg, 1st Place - Keith Galea, 3rd Place - Fabio Spiteri

Over sixty five athletes braved the tough conditions to undertake a 750m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5k run in Birzebbuga which saw the first sprint triathlon of the 2015 season take place.
 

In the males category it was Keith Galea who exited the water first after covering the 750-metre course in 10 minutes 20 seconds, followed by Graham Borg in 10 minutes 34 seconds. Third out of water was young triathlete Shaun Galea (Birkirkara St. Joseph) who exited after 11 minutes 33 seconds.  Galea’s lead in the race was briefly under threat by team-mate Graham Borg who completed the 20km undulating bike course in 31 minutes 37 seconds, twelve seconds faster than Galea’s split. In the run segment it was Fabio Spiteri that edged close to Galea, however in the end Galea’s fast transition and run saw him complete the course in 1 hours 1 minute and 21 seconds securing first place and a course record in the process. Graham Borg completed the course in 1 hour 2 minutes and 42 seconds whilst Spiteri completed the course in 1 hour 3 minutes 48 seconds to complete the males’ podium in third place.
 

Under 23 triathlete Hannah Pace fresh from her bronze medal winning performance in the European Triathlon Age Group Championships exited third out the 750-metre swim course in a time of 10 minutes 51 seconds followed by Margaret Seguna (Mellieha AC) and Michelle Vella Wood (Birkirkara St. Joseph) who finished the swim segment in 11 minutes 3 seconds and 12 minutes 35 seconds respectively. Vella Wood showed her strength in the cycling segment to cover the 20 kilometres six seconds faster than Pace.  Vella Wood continued to show her determination in the run but was no match to catch up with Pace who completed the course in 1 hour 8 minutes 23 seconds. Vella Wood came in second in 1 hour 10 minutes 14 seconds. Both Pace and Vella Wood registered personal best times on the course.  Margaret Seguna came in third place covering the distance in 1 hour 13 minutes and 23 seconds.
 

2015 Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club Sprint Triathlon Series - Female Podium  Left to Right - 2nd Place - Michelle Vella Wood,  1st Place - Hannah Pace, 3rd Place - Margaret Seguna
2015 Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club Sprint Triathlon Series - Female Podium Left to Right - 2nd Place - Michelle Vella Wood, 1st Place - Hannah Pace, 3rd Place - Margaret Seguna

In the relay teams competition Jean Claude Cutajar (Swim), Steve Sciberras (Bike) and Andrew Grech (Run) completed the course in an overall time of 59 minutes 37 seconds.
 

Birkirkara St. Joseph is grateful for the assistance provided by the authorities, namely Transport Malta, the Police Corps and the Birzebbuga Local Council as well as the officials, marshals and volunteers who assisted throughout the race making this event possible.
 

The next race of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Sprint Triathlon Series will take place in Birzebbuga on Sunday 9th August. More information on the Series can be found onwww.bkarastjoseph.com