Shamrock December 2008

The Shamrock The official publication of Saint Patrick’s Athletic Club Issue No. 40

December 2008

If Only I Could Run! If you’re looking for motivation to start running, or are looking for a way to motivate someone to do so then look no further than Cyprian Dalli. The recently appointed St. Patrick’s AC secretary met up with Peter Barbara to tell him of his success story. Today I would like to introduce you to a runner who has joined the ever-growing clan at St.Patrick’s AC. So what’s new you might ask? Well, three years ago, Cyprian Dalli could not go up a flight of stairs without resting half way let alone run a half marathon. When he stepped on the scales one fine day in August 2004, in his own words “the reading told me 170kg – which was the limit the scales could go anyway…. I may have weighed a few kilos more!“ Up to fifteen years of age, Cyprian used to play football, basketball, swim and do all the normal things any teenager would do; later on, while studying hard, devouring junk food and sweets and generally getting more lazy, he started to gain weight, but he kept on eating and stuffing himself. Months later, health problems started to show up. Cyprian recalls that he suffered a lot from pinched

nerves near his spine and also had deformation in his knees from which he still suffers, because of his weight. At that time his son was a year old and it started to dawn on Cyprian

that he would not be able to play with him as he grew older, because he would be immobile. This thought spurred him on to try again. ► Continued On Page 3

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Paul Grech’s Editorial The Search for Talent I got talking to Carol Walsh after this year’s Zurrieq Half Marathon and was quite surprised to learn that she had got into the sport of athletics almost by accident. Indeed, when she was young Carol preferred to play tennis. Then one day she took part in a fun run and managed to win despite being faced by girls who were more experienced then her. From then on, she remained in the sport and gradually improved until she became Malta’s best female long distance runner. A position, it has to be said, that she retains to this very day. Yet it is quite a sobering thought that someone of Walsh’s obvious abilities and who has won so much for Malta could have been lost to the sport had it not been a huge dose of luck, that a fantastic career could have been thwarted if it hadn’t been for that fun run. That, however, is where the good news ends. Because you have to ask: how many boys and girls with the potential for athletics have never tried their hands at it simply because they never had that slice of luck? How many potential athletes are lost purely because not enough effort goes into attracting them? For all the complaining that we hear, there still is no suitable programme aimed at identifying talent in young kids. Unless someone starts touring schools and showing the kids what needs to be done in the hope of finding some who are good enough, then the development of talent will remain hit and miss.

The official publication of St. Patrick’s Athletic Club Issue No. 40 – December 2008 Editor: Paul Grech Sub-Editor: Jonathan Balzan Address: St. Helen, Vjal ix-Xarolla, Zurrieq Telephone: 21 640 871 Mobile: 7901 4601 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.stpatricksac.info

Antoine Attard President Stephen Spiteri Vice President, MAAA Representative & Shamrock Co-ordinator Joe Zerafa Treasurer Rose Tabone Officer Juniors Lee Micallef Public Relations Peter Barbara Asst. Sec & Social Events co-ordinator Cyprian Dalli Secretary Paul Grima Clubhouse Director Roger Zammit Technical Director Any contributions for the next issue of the Shamrock may be sent to the editor.

It is a sad situation, one that desperately needs to be addressed. And if you think that is too much for a club that relies on volunteers to exist, then what about other basics? What about fun runs that only seem to attract a handful of young athletes? Surely more can be done to make these more attractive, to get young children to run and have fun. It is at such races that you can spot people and see who is talented enough to develop into something special. Yet even this basic step seems to elude most people.

The True Face of Determinaton I have to admit that I’d never heard of Cyprian Dalli before Peter Barbara sent in his story. Yet, in the twenty or so issues since I’ve been editor of the Shamrock, I don’t think that we’ve featured anything as good as that. For Cyprian is a true example. Forget the athletes who win races – even though that aspect of running is important as well – it is people like Cyprian who really move others into actually making the step to take up a sport. That he did it out of sheer determination to be thinner makes the achievement all the more noteworthy.

In an era that is dominated by fad diets and people wanting to lose weight at the switch of a button, it is hearthening to see someone like Cyprian who do so, one simple step at a time.

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◄ Continued from Page 1 “I tried to go for a walk now and then, but always gave up after a while, until one day, after Easter Sunday 2005; I made up my mind to go walking daily for a whole week.” He went a step further and made his plans public to all his friends and family. After the first week he was over the moon to have succeeded for a whole week although physically he was wrecked, but he persisted and after three months he tried to run. “I tried to run for 100 metres and I became so breathless I nearly exploded! If only I could run! I used to admire people who jogged past me and yearned to be like them, but it was just a dream at that time “ In the next months he extended the walks from 6km to 8km and then 10km, trying to walk faster each time. That summer Cyprian Dalli made a momentous decision; he decided he would take part in the Malta Half Marathon the following year.

down his weight to 155kg and was now walking faster and further than ever. His target was simply to walk the whole distance and finish, come what may and finish he did, after 2: 46: 49. Which was no mean feat considering that a year before he could only cover 3 km in an hour. During the year 2006, Cyprian started to jog and starting from 2 km he gradually moved up to 12 km shedding weight all the time and getting fitter and stronger. Since then he has not looked back and has run several races. When I asked him what is his favourite race distance he answered the longer the better as he prefers distance to speed, but he likes doing 10km races which will make him become sharper. Cyprian’s best time in this year’s edition of the half marathon is 1:54:04 , but he tells me that he has never run a half-marathon to his full capacity owing to some muscle pain or else catching a cold when training for the event. He singles out the Dingli 10 Race as a race in a class by itself.

He changed his diet and whittled

Cyprian Dalli Before Taking up Running

Cyprian tells me that right now he is in the 95kg zone. Since August 2004 he has lost about 75kgs each year even though the process is getting slower. Luckily, the man is tall and strong and nobody would guess how he looked like four years ago unless one knew him. Speaking

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for myself, I would have never have believed him had he not shown me his “before” and “after” photos. So if there is anybody out there who thinks it is impossible for them to start exercising or even running, I would say motivate yourself from Cyprian’s story. When asked if he feels better now that he started running, Cyprian replied “Without a shadow of a doubt. Now I look at life more positively, and I feel at peace with myself because I have regained my self-esteem. When I am running my problems seem to fade away and the day’s stress vanishes” Cyprian is 33 years of age, has been married for seven years to Rebecca and has two boys, Pavel and Janek. He mentions that his wife is behind his success and without her support he would not be able to go out and train, and so is very appreciative of this fact. Since joining St.Patrick’s A C he has made a lot of friends and has also done his bit in recruiting new faces as his running mate Marvin has now become a club member too. Even more positive is his recent involvement with the Committee of St.Patricks, which goes on to show that the club accepts help even from new ‘recruits’. Asked about what improvements could be made at Saint Patrick’s A.C he stated : “Possibly, I would like to see more recognition towards athletes who do not feature as front runners during a race, but who achieve other worthwhile results like coming back after a bad injury, or changing one’s life completely because of running, thus promoting our motto at St.Patrick’s that “athletics as a way of life” is a reality.” “After all, runners like myself who train regularly with all our constraints commit ourselves as much as the “elite” athletes do.”

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ERREA GUDJA 8K ROAD RACE 2008 Sunday 5th October 2008

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ERREA GUDJA 8K ROAD RACE 2008 Sunday 5th October 2008

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Errea Gudja 8 Kms Open Race Results Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53

Name Jonathan Balzan Drew Lang Jason Martin Simon Lia Mario Pisani Rodney Cassar Patrick Saliba Neil Brimmer Jesmond Zammit Kevin Muscat Simon Camilleri Morgan Brimmer Cyril Valiere Renato Caruana Frankie Galea Antoine Szczot Stephen Mifsud Savo Ristic` Alex Mifsud Raymond Scicluna Sinclair Grima Jesmond Bezzina Manuel Spiteri Joelle Cortis Carmen Hili Pierre Pirotta Alfred Camilleri Ivan Padovani Marisa Muscat Simon Spiteri Alexander Pulo Simon Stafrace Stephen Spiteri Carmelo Gatt Jimmy Bonnici Eugenio Farrugia Gino Chetcuti Josann Attard Carmelo Farrugia Roberta Schembri Alfred Curmi Inaki Berroeta Antoine Zammit Gejtu Cauchi Pauline Vella Francis Sant Jonathan Satariano Mona Lisa Camilleri Michael Camilleri Andrea Agius Glenn Mesher John Zammit Charles Abela

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Sex M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M F F M M M F M M M M M M M M F M F M M M M F M M F M M M M M

Club St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Mellieha A.C. Zurrieq Wolves Athleta Pembroke Mellieha A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Zurrieq Wolves Attard A.C. Hellboys St. Patrick's A.C. Mellieha A.C. Living Well St. Patrick's A.C. Mellieha A.C. N/A St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. N/A N/A St. Patrick's A.C. Mellieha A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Mellieha A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Athleta Pembroke St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Us & Them St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Starmax Zurrieq Wolves Athleta Pembroke St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. N/A St. Patrick's A.C. GREE A.C. Mellieha A.C. AS Libertas AS Libertas St. Patrick's A.C. N/A N/A Zurrieq Wolves

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Time 26:11 27:41 27:44 28:34 28:46 28:53 29:20 29:47 29:55 30.08 30.10 30:26 31:07 31:14 31:25 31:35 31:41 31:46 31:49 31:53 31:54 32:00 32:01 32:07 32:13 32:29 32:37 32:49 32:56 32:58 32:59 33:03 33:15 33:20 33:21 33:38 33:48 33:52 33:58 34:01 34:47 34:52 35:07 35:22 35:26 35:26 35:40 35:49 35:49 35:53 35:54 36:17 36:25

Pos.

Name

Sex

Club

Time

54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105

Ernest Desira David Demarco Alfred Briffa Derek Moss Wolley Ghiller Godwin Cutajar Antoine Attard Cyprian Dalli Nicholas Vassallo Frankie Tabone Andrew Xuereb Pawlu Brincat Victor Laurenti Saviour Agius Angelique Attard Ruben Magro Adrian Farrugia Lino Said Jennifer Farrugia Monica Piscopo Paul Grima Joe Mallia Joe Cremona Carmelo Ciantar Nick Xuereb Noel Calleja Raffaele Sigona Victor Spiteri Alfred Demarco Elizabeth Pisani Ronnie Borg Ruben Debono Mark Sacco Melvin Pellicano Peter Barbara George Abela Tania Chetcuti Julie Grech Maria Buttigieg Lydia Barbara Peter Naudi Amy Abdilla Alfred Mifsud Vincent Spiteri Irene Zahra Donald Cauchi Charles Micallef Hanna Pace Denise Buttigieg Rita Ertlmaier Arnold Pickup Paul Fenech

M M M M M M M M M M M M M M F M M M F F M M M M M M M M M F M M M M M M F F F F M F M M F M M F M F M M

St. Patrick's A.C. Allcomers Zurrieq Wolves St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. N/A N/A B'Kara St. Joseph St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Attard A.C. N/A St. Patrick's A.C. N/A Attard A.C. Ladies Running Club St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Attard A.C. N/A N/A Us & Them N/A N/A St. Patrick's A.C. St. Patrick's A.C. Ladies Running Club N/A St. Patrick's A.C. N/A N/A St. Patrick's A.C. N/A Ladies Running Club Athleta Pembroke N/A St. Patrick's A.C. N/A Athleta Pembroke N/A St. Patrick's A.C. N/A St. Patrick's A.C. N/A Athleta Pembroke Athleta Pembroke St. VPRC Attard A.C. Zurrieq Wolves

36:30 36:32 36:33 36:45 36:50 37:01 37:09 37:09 37:26 37:30 37:36 37:45 38:15 38:34 38:43 38:51 39:35 39:39 40:17 40:18 40:46 40:57 41:04 41:07 41:12 41:37 41:38 41:56 42:42 42:47 43:25 43:55 44:07 44:15 44:17 45:07 45:32 45:49 46:29 46:38 46:51 47:13 47:42 49:35 51:00 52:01 52:36 53:03 53:04 54:27 54:28 1:02:44

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Having turned back during the Errea Gudja 8K to inform the race director that an athlete was seriously injured, Pembroke Athleta duo Hannah Pace and Denise Buttigieg were rewarded with a memento by St. Patrick’s AC during the Pasta Night held on the 17th October. During the same activity, Carmen Hili was also rewarded for the sportsmanship shown with Joelle Cortis, also during the Gudja 8K.

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Winter Training: Running in Colder Conditions Although the Maltese climate is rather lenient, there are still some precautions that one should take. Mario Pisani discusses what these are in his second article for the Shamrock. Mario can be contacted on 79255076 or [email protected]. Maltese runners should consider themselves very fortunate that in Malta we have good weather mostly all year round. Our winter conditions are less extreme than in many other countries. We do noteven imagine ourselves running on snow or ice like many other running friends in other countries. Winter running in Malta can sometimes be very unpleasant especially for beginners or less committed running friends who easily tend to be influenced by missing their training because of strong, cold wind or some falling rain. On the other side we find those who are very dedicated or even addicted ones that at all costs they will never miss their training sessions. Now let us look at the positive side of our winter training here on our island. -

We can sleep 1 or 2hours more and go out for our run at a later time during the day.

-

We can wear less bulky winter clothes many times and we can even use our summer running training kits since our climate permits.

-

In many countries winter is used for base training endurance runs because they also find it hard to do their speedier sessions since their weather conditions do not permit them to do so. In this case their top athletes have to go and train in other countries.

-

In our case speed training is done without great difficulties during all winter.

From the negative side of our winter training conditions, since we have a lot of humidity, many times we feel the bone chilling effect. When it starts raining most of our roads are not safe due to excessive water, pot holes and slippery conditions. Our evening run outside should ideally be ready before 5pm since it gets dark and unsafe, unless you plan to train on the track. Winter Training: Safety First Here is a list of safety training tips which are considered very important: Accessories: Having the right apparel makes all the difference in the world. Layering is the key to avoiding over- or under-dressing. Consider wearing a layer that blocks the wind: pants, tights and top that wick the moisture away from your skin, and for the coldest days, a mid-layer that fits more loosely, like fleece, that

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insulates and moves the moisture from your base layer away from your skin. Your winter running wardrobe should include a running jacket, hat or headband, gloves, tights and a few longsleeve shirts. Your body temperature increases as you run, so you do not need many layers in most winter conditions. Run during light and warmer times of day: If possible, run during daylight hours so you can absorb that needed sunshine of our winter. You will get your miles in during the warmest time of day and come back with a smile on your face. Make use of a sunscreen since our UV index can be dangerous in winter as well. Use petroleum jelly to protect the exposed skin such as your face, hands and other sensitive areas. Be seen: If you run when it is dark outside, wear a reflective vest or flashing lights so that you are seen by traffic. Wear bright clothing. Run with identification or a runner's I.D. in your shoe or pocket, just in case. Good running shoes: If you wear worn out running shoes, you risk that these could be slippery and dangerous in wet conditions. Take extra time to warm up: Your body will warm up more slowly in cold weather, especially if you run in the morning. Take at least five minutes to walk briskly before you start to run. It may take 10 to 15 minutes of running before you are completely warmed up and in your running tempo. Hydrate: It is just as important to drink fluids in your winter runs as it is in the summer. Make sure to hydrate before, during and after your runs to avoid dehydration. Use warm fluids in your water bottle or tuck it under your jacket to avoid freezing. Part of the above article is en extract from Coach Jenny Hadfield for Active.com. Hadfield is the coauthor of the best-selling Marathoning for Mortals, and the new Running for Mortals and Training for Mortals series. Coach Jenny has trained thousands of runners and walkers with her training plans Enjoy your running and take care!

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St. Patrick’s Athletics Club Awards and Bonuses As approved by the Club Committee Top Male Athlete Award 2008 – 2009 Top Female Athlete Award 2008 – 2009 Points will be given as follows for the best five results from the list of races below: o o o o o o o o o

Gudja 8K Zurrieq Half Marathon MAAA Winter League MAAA Cross Country Championships Malta Half Marathon Malta Full Marathon Dingli 10 June National Championships (5K) Birzebbugia 10K

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

10 points 6 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

The MAAA Winter League is classed as one race. An athlete who requests the release prior to the presentation will NOT be eligible for this or any other St. Patrick’s AC awards. The committee shall decide on amounts and descriptions of the awards, which will be presented at the Christmas 2009 reception. 1. Best 5 results for each athlete will count. 2. The MAAA Road Running League is classified as ONE race. 3. Athletes who request a release prior to presentation are NOT eligible for the Top Athlete Award System. 4. Awards and bonuses will be given at the Christmas 2009 reception.

Track and Field Bonuses 2009 A bonus of €23 will be awarded to senior athletes for each win, while €11.65 will be awarded to each member in a team win. This is applicable to senior athletes (both male and female), and including juniors participating with the senior athletes. There have to be at least three participants / teams in any event for the bonuses to be applicable. Athletes not wearing the club kit may not be entitled for any bonus. Bonuses are to be presented at the Christmas 2009 reception.

o o o o o o o o

Aggregate Meeting 1 Aggregate Meeting 2 Aggregate Meeting 3 Aggregate Meeting 4 April International Meeting Aggregate Meeting 5 Joe Bajada Relay Chmps’p Aggregate Meeting 6

o

June National Championships

The events for which the bonuses are to be awarded are listed to the right.

o o o

Club’s League 1 Club’s League 2 Club’s League 3

Race Participation 2008 – 2009 Starting from the Ladies 6 race (October 2008) up to and including the track and field clubs’ league, points will be awarded to all St. Patrick’s AC athletes who participate in the races listed on page 12. Maximum points (refer to table on page 12) will be awarded to the highest placed St. Patrick’s athlete, going down in even numbers for second, third placed etc. No points will be given to an athlete who does not participate or finish any race. Athletes will remain in the same category throughout the competition (as at October 2008). To qualify for a trophy, an athlete must compete in at least five races. Points will be based on each race organiser’s official results. If no results are issued, no points will be awarded for that particular race. The St. Patrick’s AC committee shall decide on amounts and descriptions of the awards, which shall be presented at the Christmas 2009 reception.

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St. Patrick's AC Race Participation Scheme 2007 - 2008 Pos.

NAME

CATEGORY

UP to Mellieha

B'Bugia 10 K

TOTAL

1

LEE MICALLEF

M35

2562

226

2788

2

CARMEN HILI

W35

2534

238

2772

3

WALLY GHILLER

M50

2452

212

2664

4

PAUL GRIMA

M45

2430

204

2634

5

DREW LANG

M40

2342

248

2590

6

JONATHAN BALZAN

M35

2472

7

KSHEIM HAITHEM

M OPEN

1972

250

2222

8

DAVID JONES

M40

2008

200

2208

9

RUBEN DEBONO

M45

1962

198

2160

10

RUBEN MAGRO

M OPEN

1882

208

2090

11

MARISA MUSCAT

W35

1854

232

2086

12

CHARLES DARMANIN

M50

2038

13

GINO CHETCUTI

M45

1720

14

EUGENIO FARRUGIA

M45

1940

15

STEPHEN MIFSUD

M50

1632

240

1872

16

STEPHEN SPITERI

M45

1494

220

1714

17

PETER BARBARA

M55

1398

214

1612

18

MARTIN AGIUS

M50

1316

236

1552

19

JIMMY BONNICI

M40

1398

20

ALFRED DEMARCO

M55

1182

21

PATRICK SALIBA

M OPEN

1360

22

CHARLES ABELA

M35

1074

218

1292

23

PAULA VELLA

W OPEN

1062

222

1284

24

ANDREA AGIUS

M OPEN

1274

1274

25

MICHAEL GELLEL

M35

1270

1270

26

SAVO RISTIC

M35

1232

1232

27

MICHAEL CALLEJA

M55

1188

1188

28

PHILIP CAMILLERI

M60

1102

1102

29

DONALD CAUCHI

M50

908

194

1102

30

EMILE VASSALLO

M35

886

216

1102

31

GISELLE CAMILLERI

W OPEN

850

244

1094

32

ANTOINE ATTARD

M55

1060

1060

33

SIMON S. CAMILLERI

M35

1058

1058

34

SINCLAIR GRIMA

M35

806

35

JUDE ZAMMIT

M40

1038

1038

36

GEORGE VELLA

M OPEN

1030

1030

37

KENNETH RYDER

M60

1014

1014

38

JOSEPH ZERAFA

M50

1006

1006

39

IVAN PADOVANI

M45

984

984

40

CARMEL ZAMMIT

M50

940

940

2472

2038 228

1948 1940

1398 206

1388 1360

234

1040

41

SIMONE MAGRI

W35

928

928

42

RENATO CARUANA

M35

926

926

43

CYPRIAN DALLI

M OPEN

896

896

44

EMANUEL SPITERI

M50

628

242

870

45

VITALE MANTO

M60

656

210

866

46

SIMON STAFRACE

M OPEN

826

826

47

GODWIN CUTAJAR

M50

822

822

48

MARIO P. VELLA

M45

822

822

49

KONRAD CIAPPARA

M40

758

758

50 51

INAKI BERROETA DAVID CACHIA

M45

738 716

738 716

52

VICTOR SPITERI

M65

506

53

CECIL BORDA

M45

662

662

54

ANGELA SAMMUT

W40

648

648

55

CARMEL CARUANA

M40

620

620

56

HENDRIK D'AMATO

M50

620

620

57

EDWIN SPITERI

M65

424

58 59

MICHAEL GRIMA KATYA CIAPPARA

M OPEN W OPEN

592 584

592 584

60

PAWLU BRINCAT

M50

566

566

61 62

LYDIA BARBARA GEORGE ABELA

W50 M55

514 474

514 474

63

VINCENT SPITERI

M60

452

452

64

RUBEN DEGIORGIO

M OPEN

418

418

65 66

CARL MARIO ZAMMIT TONIO PRIVITELLI

M OPEN M45

416 404

416 404

67

VICTOR LAURENTI

M45

402

402

68

ANTOINE ZAMMIT

M45

174

69

PHILIP CAUCHI

M35

390

390

70

DANICA SPITERI

W OPEN

382

382

71

MONICA PISCOPO

W55

376

376

72

ADRIANA TEDESCO

W OPEN

344

344

73

KOSTANTIN ROSHNOV

74

ADRIAN FABRI

75

MICHAEL ATTARD

76 77

0

202

196

224

246

708

620

398

246

242

242

M45

238

238

ALFRED CURMI SIMON SPITERI

M OPEN

0 220

78

ERNEST DESIRA

M OPEN

206

206

79

JOYCE ZAMMIT

164

164

80 81

CHARLES MANGION WAYNE SPITERI

144 142

144 142

230

This is the final table for the participation award for 2007-08.

230 220

Awards to Be Given to Both Boys And Girls

Category Awards Male Open: First Ten Female Open: First Three

First First First First

Age Categories

Category Juniors Intermediate Youths Cadets

Age Born 1988, 1989 Born 1990, 1991 Born 1992, 1993 Born 1994 or after

First Male: O/35; O/40; O/45; O/50; O/55; O/60; O/65 First Female: O/35; O/40; O/45; O/50; O/55 The races included in the Race Participation competition, with respective points for first placed St. Patrick’s AC athlete, are:

Race

Points

Ladies 10K Gudja 8K MAAA Road Running League (4 or 5 races as per MAAA) Malta Running Challenge Zurrieq Half Marathon Birkirkara 5k (December race only) Mdina – Spinola Attard AC 10K (February 2009 Edition) Malta Half & Full Marathon Dingli 10 Pembroke 10K Mellieha 10K Mosta 8K Birzebbugia 10K Clubs League (Track & Field events covering 3 meetings ♣

♣

200 300 250 each 250 200 100 200 200 250 / 300 300 200 200 100 300 300

Athletes should note that 2 road races and track events have been added to the list of races. In order to help the middle and back-of–the–pack runners it was decided that bonus points will be given to athletes as follows:500 extra points for completing ALL the above races ; 400 extra points for completing all the above races except 1; 300 extra points for completing all the above races except 2; 200 extra points for completing all the above races except 3; and 100 extra points for completing all the above races except 4

St. Patrick’s Athletics Club Race Bonuses Winter League Winning Team €140 Prizes are to be divided by all participating members of the team, including the reserves. Winter league is to count as one race. Road Relay, Cross-Country, Zurrieq Half Marathon, Malta Full & Half Marathons, Challenge Marathons. Winning Team €80 Prizes are to be divided by all participating members of the team, including the reserves. Race Bonuses for Individual athletes: Overall Maltese Winner

€35

International Events & Course Records: Malta Marathon / Half Marathon, Challenge Marathon, Zurrieq Half Marathon. First Maltese / resident counts. Overall winner €23. If an athlete breaks a National or a Course record in the races organised by the club, he/she will be awarded an additional bonus of €23. All athletes are duty bound to wear the club’s colours in all races and events. It is at the discretion of the committee not to award bonuses if athletes do not observe this regulation.

Race Bonuses – List of Races Gudja 8K (October Edition) MAAA Winter League* Zurrieq Half Marathon* Malta Challenge Marathon* Malta Shuttle Road Relay^

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MAAA Cross Country Championships * Malta Marathon and Half Marathon* Dingli 10 Birzebbuga 10K * Denotes Teams ^ Denotes Team Race Only

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F’Ghajnejn ir-Runner Issa li t-training rega beda britmu normali, tara hafna runners filghodu kmieni jew filhgaxija jitrenjaw ghax l-arja m’ghadiex daqshekk shuna. Dawk ir-runners li jigru n-naha taz-Zurrieq u lvicinanzi, specjalment dawk li jigru n-naha talKarwija meta jkunu qed jitrenjaw ghan-nofs maratona taz-zurrieq jkunu qeghdin kontinwament qedin jigru fil-periklu ghaliex din izzona hija ferm perikoluza minhabba t-traffiku. Ahna r-runners suppost nafu bizzejjed li hemmhekk m’ghandniex nigru taht il-bankina. Dan l-ahhar ghamlu l-bankini u t–triq djieqet iktar milli kienet u giet ferm perikoluza biex tigri taht ilbanikina. Ma nistghx nifhem kif ahna r-runners nipperikolaw hajjitna b’dan il-mod. U jigravaw iktar l-affarijet meta jilbsu lbies skur u ma jirriflettix id-dawl. Jien nahseb li l-ewwel prijorita hija ssigurta ta’ l-atleta u mbaghad il-giri u mhux kontra. Ahna r-runners ghandna iktar min xofa wahda blincidenti li graw u xorta whadna nibqghu nabbuzaw. Wisq nibza li kulltant qeghidn naghtu image hazing lil l-isport taghna Mela ejjew inkunu maturi u nghatu ezempju tajjeb b’ghagir serju u ta’ responsabilta lejn is-sigurta. Paul Grima

Congratulations to St. Patrick’s AC runner Katya Ciappara on the birth of baby Michela.

Property Development and leasing of Offices and Commercial Premises Financial, Fiduciary and Trustee Services Investments, Business Development International Trading

www.stpatricksac.info

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December ‘08

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Why I Run: Eugenio Farrugia I am a recent member of St.Patricks AC – and am proud of it. Before signing up, for me the club was a one storey building in a playing field just opposite of Bettina Palace, and some very good runners who regularly cruise past me in their typical full green outfit at every stage of any run I was in. So why did I decide to join?

Eugenio Farrugia: Second from left

I was introduced to running some 3 years ago – I am now 46. A colleague from the office invited me for a 20 minute jog around the Pembroke neighbourhood. He jogged regularly, like a good number of others whose work has them tied to a desk and a computer for hours on end. I was quite suspicious of the invitation knowing that I had never sustained a jog for more than 3 minutes – but at the time I had been swimming (and still do) some 2 to 3 kilometers a week at the Tal-Qroqq National Pool. So I took the plunge – not literally of course that happens only at the pool! I met up with this guy and actually enjoyed my first ever slow 20 minute jog. We continued doing the jog twice a week. After a few months we parted I was getting bored with the 20 minute routine and my jogging partner could not continue as he had started some course of studies. For the next few weeks I jogged by myself extending the time to 50 minutes. Chance had it that I chatted with a sales person visiting the office who happened to be a runner. He suggested that I try the LRC Mdina Glass race, just for fun – this was July 2006. Immediately, this run became my goal. I visited some web sites, put together a training schedule and bought a good pair of running shoes. I was actually having fun and found running to be a great and affordable way of keeping fit, and also importantly in helping me to regain peace with myself after some over indulgence with food and drink…which like most, I like a lot.

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From then on I participated in a number of 10K runs, two half marathons and the Dingli 10, which all together found me in April 2007 before the Athleta Pembroke 10K, run in a very upbeat mood. I had a little dream on that day, which was to be the first Swieqi resident to cross the finishing line – I thought there should not be too many Swieqi residents who do 10K runs, at my now 43 minutes something….. until I bumped into Victor Laurenti on the starting line, whom up to that time I did not know. Victor said – ‘So you are the new runner in the neighbourhood…I saw you a few days ago running up to Gharghur’……gosh I said to myself there must be others from the area!! Victor continued in his warm and genial manner…….’we are out of luck this year…..last year I took off with the Swieqi residents’ trophy…..but we have Kevin Zammit today to contend with….and there is also Stephen Spiteri......who is doing very well……let me introduce you to Stephen’. Bye bye dream…I tried to smile in the best manner I could muster in the circumstances. Here were two runners who had just but shattered my dream, and to top it all, sporting the livery of the club, which by now I decided I will hate for ever!! After the race Victor and Stephen urged me to join them on a long run the following Sunday. On that run I met with Lee Micallef, also of St.Patricks AC – and by now our informal coach and mentor, sometimes too competitive for my liking. I have been on and off with this group for a few months now, and during this time I found that the group feeling has added another dimension to my running, which comes in very handy when motivation dwindles. Sharing and working for common goals and aspirations whilst allowing and catering for each individual’s capabilities and possibilities is what the group is all about. I wanted to continue to be part of this group and what better way than to become a member of their club, which now I proudly say is my club as well. Each and every one of us is an ambassador of our club. I am of the opinion that people perceive our club in the manner they perceive us, mainly through our actions. So let us all be good ambassadors of our club, each and every one of us in his / her own individual way. I hope that in this way a larger chunk of the athletic community will decide to become part of this reality – St. Patrick’s AC!

www.stpatricksac.info

Proud to Be a Saint! 18 year threshold. What has driven me to athletics was definitely the extra weight.

Being my first communication with all athletes of the Shamrock magazine I would like to thank you all for this year’s tremendous victory of both the men’s and women’s leagues. All committee members, readers and members alike are proud of all our athletes and especially of this achievement. Our goals do not end here. We look forward to repeat this year’s achievements and even go beyond, that is to dominate the local track events and who knows win a major honour abroad.

I had decided to go for long walks which then ended up in running more than walking. A friend of mine, who happens to live in my locality and who is not new to this sport, Victor Laurenti had invited me on various occasions to join him, and his other friend Lee Micallef on their daily runs. At first I refused but after a number of invitations I gave in. I had started running with them on their daily runs including the Sunday long run where I was introduced to other athletes quite known on the local scene, including the dynamic president of St Patrick’s Antoine Attard. I happened to click well with Antoine and was dragged to join the St Patrick’s committee, and which I am proud to form part of.

Most of you got to know me this year being new to the local athletics scene. I started running and competing at late age in my carreer. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My first sport in my teenage years was waterpolo, a sport which in no way compares to athletics. Un-fortunately I retired at a very young age and at a time when I was performing well and had started playing first division waterpolo. My first waterpolo love team, and which today is still at heart, is Neptunes. I retired from the game at the age of 20 and at a time when I had just joined the former Mid-Med Bank, and which I am proud to say is still my current employer. The only thing that changed of my employer is the name and work expectations. In the interim period that is from the age of 20 to 46 I did not practice any sport at all. One might ask what drove me to this sport? At the age of 45 I had to drag a couple of extra kilos I had put over the years. Mind you in comparison to what I normally eat I was not that fat even though one of my daughters had described me as a pig in one of her essays. I was about to forget, I am married to Nadia and am proud to say that I have to lovable daughters one of them 14 years of age and the other still far to reach the

www.stpatricksac.info

I would also like to point out that my father was a great athletics coach, who passed away after the turn of the millennium, and who had coached the athletics team of St Theresa Grammar schoolbeing a teacher of Maltese language and European History at that time. I am proud to say that my dad had achieved a number of goals including being a winner of the Government school sports day event for at least 10 years in a row with the Education Minster at that time Miss Agatha Barbara handing over the aggregate Sports day trophy for keeps to the girls of St Theresa School for such an achievement. At the moment, I an looking forward to give my best to this glorious athletic club and to all athletes. To all members I say: be proud of running under our flag and distinct colours. Hope to win more major honours in the years to come with the dedication of our double Road Running qualified coaches Rose and Roger. Keep it up St Pat’s.

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December ‘08

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Top Athlete Awards 2007 – 2008 Male Award

Points

Female Award

Points

Jonathan Balzan Haithem Kisheim Drew Lang

46 42 22

Carmen Hili Giselle Camilleri Marisa Muscat

50 30 28

Best Young Athletes Best Intermediate Best Cadet Best Performance Boys Best Performance Girls

Simon Spiteri Charlene Formosa Ernest Desira Gabriella Saliba

15% Discount on Timex Sports Watches & Heart Monitors A 15% discount being offered to St. Patrick’s AC members from J.Agius & Bros of 163, Melita Street, Valletta VLT 10 on Timex Sports Watches and Heart Rate Monitors and the requisite valid membership card. The Shamrock

December ‘08

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www.stpatricksac.info

On the 1st of November, St. Patrick’s AC’s road running teams were rewarded by the MAAA for their clean sweep in last year’s Road Running League

For the Latest News & Views on Maltese athletics visit www.maltaathletics.blogspot.com www.stpatricksac.info

The Shamrock

December ‘08

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Roberto Agius: A Rising Star at Saint Patrick’s AC Roberto Agius is a 13 years old teenager. He is very enthusiastic and an outgoing person. He likes to take part in any kind of sports like gymnastics and athletics. More than this he practices drama as well. Roberto was only eight when he used to come to the Marsa sports Athletic Track under the supervision of his father who is a referee. The first time I saw him, I was so surprised with his performance. He was running the 400m with the other referees. The day after, while I was coaching my group, he asked me whether I could time him. He showed interest in joining my group too and in fact the next day we met he was more than pleased to run with us. Later on I decided to ask his father’s permission to let him join our club. His father liked the idea and he gladly accepted the opportunity. Roberto used to come for training on a regular basis then he had to stop for a period of time because of his exams. He succeeded and he passed from exams with flying colours. Right now he is attending the St Aloysius’ college. At the moment he is back training on regular basis and in my opinion he is improving a lot. He is very motivated and consistent and I am looking forward to see him participate in the Road Running League. I wish what is best for Roberto. All the best of luck from your coach Rose Tabone

At the age of eight, I started athletics. I had practised football before. During the period, I used to run with my father at the Marsa Sports Ground where I met my coach Rose. She encouraged me to join St. Patrick’s A.C. So I dropped football and focused on athletics. During these five years, I have taken part in several fun runs and managed to achieve good results. Now, I am taking part in the MAAA leagues. My aim is to improve my time so one day I will participate in the F.I.S.E.C games and the Small Nations. I would like to thank my coach Rose for her determination, patience and good coaching. Roberto Agius

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December ‘08

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www.stpatricksac.info

MEMBERSHIP FOR THE YEAR 2009 Members are urged to renew their membership for the year 2009. Those athletes who want to join St. Patrick’s AC can do so either by contacting members of the committee or else by downloading a copy of the membership form from the club’s website www.stpatricksac.info.

All forms and payments are to be sent to the Club Treasurer at Wintermoor, 69,Karmenu Vassallo Street l-Iklin IKL 1310

MEMBERSHIP RATES Juniors €9.00 Adults €18.00 Adult + Junior €25.00

What’s On: Athletics’ Events Sun 1 Mar Sat 13 Dec

BIRKIRKARA SJ 5K RUNNING SERIES th 4 Leg – Birkirkara St. Joseph Euchar Camilleri: 99466256

Fri 23 Jan

ATHLETICS MALTA ROAD RELAY Edwin Attard: 79252743 or eattard@waldonet .net.mt

Sun 21 Dec

MDINA SPINOLA MMOC 21423833 or info@maltamarath on.com 200 Points

Sun 1 Feb

ATHLETICS MALTA CROSS COUNTRY Edwin Attard: 79252743 or eattard@waldonet .net.mt

Tue 30 Dec

7 Dec / 11 Jan

PEMBROKE XMAS MEET Track & Field Victor Camilleri: 99255595 ATHLETICS MALTA ROAD RUNNING LGE TH 4 Leg Edwin Attard: 79252743 or eattard@waldonet .net.mt 250 Points

www.stpatricksac.info

7 / 14 / 21 Feb

Sun 15 Feb

ATHLETICS MALTA PRESEASON Track & Field Edwin Attard: 79252743 or eattard@waldonet .net.mt ATTARD AC 10K George Farrugia: 79593168

MALTA MARATHON & HALFMARATHON MMOC 21423833 or info@maltamarath on.com 300 / 250 Points

7 / 14 / 28 Mar ATHLETICS MALTA AGGREGATES Track & Field Edwin Attard: 79252743 or eattard@waldonet .net.mt

Thu 19 Mar

DINGLI 10 St. Patrick’s AC Joe Zerafa: 21410648 300 Points

2009 dates are still tentative and as such they should be confirmed with organisers before attendance. The Shamrock

December ’08

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CHRISTMAS BUFFET DINNER AND ANNUAL AWARDS’ PRESENTATION Le Meridien Hotel & Spa Saint Julians FRIDAY 12 December 2008 at 7:30pm

Adults: €18, Children 12 to 16: €9, Children 5 to 12 years: Free

Free parking within premises

Bookings are to be made with: Peter Barbara Tel. 21826830; 99239155 Martin Agius Tel.21664708; 99840240 Reservations will only be accepted up to the 5th December for the first 150 applicants.