Debono, Bezzina shine at the Urban Jungle – House of Sport 10k Series Valletta Race

At the crack of dawn on 10 January, 2016, two hundred fifty athletes, representing 14 different nations as far flung as Brazil, the United States and Australia were on the starting line of the Urban Jungle House of Sport 10k Race, the first of a series of three 10k Road Running Races.

The challenging route along the Valletta coast, was a welcome return after an absence of almost twenty years.  Although slightly different from the original one, it brought a bout of nostalgia to the ‘veteran’ runners and a wave of anticipation to the newer generation.  

From the very start, it was clear that it was going to be a closely fought battle between Charlton Debono (Gozo Athletix AC), Andrew Grech (Mellieha AC) and Mark Herrera (Athleta Pembroke) with Birkirkara St. Joseph’s Keith Galea hot on their heels.   Running neck to neck Grech and Debono for most of the race it was Debono who burst in a sprint to take first place ahead of Grech and Herrera respectively. Debono has been giving consistent performances and proving quite a challenge to Grech making it all more interesting for followers of the athletics scene.  In the females’ category Lisa Bezzina, Hannah Pace and Josann Attard Pulis were the main contenders for the podium, with Bezzina leading the way throughout the race. She was followed by Starmax SC’s Josann Pulis and Pembroke Athleta’s Hannah Pace. 

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this race, the feedback we received from athletes has been extremely positive especially in view of the fact that this is a new route”, said Charles Demanuele, Race Director. “We are particularly grateful to Urban Jungle for sponsoring this event as well as the Malta Police and Transport Malta who were instrumental in ensuring athlete’s safety throughout the race. Our thanks also go to the Race Officials, Marshalls, Medical crews and volunteers who made the race possible”.

The Urban Jungle House of Sport 10k Race Series are being supported by Go & Fun, emvigee pr & marketing and Starmax.

The next Race of the Urban Jungle House of Sport 10k Series will be held on Sunday 31st January and will be the Ladies Edition, starting and finishing at Tigne Point.  An €8 Registration fee will include a technical t-shirt and as well as a goody bag.  Places are limited and registrations are to be effected via http://ujrr.emvigee.com/ladies_only.php.

Photography by Marc Stafrace/Urban Jungle