Dave and Elizabeth Mounter arrived first closely followed by the remaining eleven of us on the Birmingham flight.  Dennis and Angela Burrell, Chris and Pat Beresford, Pete Drew, Carol Culley, Alison Galloway, Judy Jameson, Janet Ritchie, Carol Garrett and Chris Harper were met by Malcolm and crew from Running Crazy and it was off to the Hotel in Sliema to meet up with the others.
The flight had been notable for Chris B’s rival challenge to Richard Branson’s testing of a new Biofuel for his aircraft.  Chris B was testing his own brand of fuel in the form of a gas from his own exhaust.  We touched down safely at Malta and the pilot quickly deployed the emergency exit chutes so we could all get some fresh air into our lungs as a matter of priority!

Friday and Saturday were spent exploring the island.  Come Sunday morning, it was time for business.  After an early breakfast it was off to the finish area at Sliema harbour to catch the coaches out to the start at Mdina. 

 The sun was out and not a cloud in the blue sky.  It was warming up as we found shade in the square near Mdina Gate, the entrance to the ancient walled city. 

Malcolm was getting a few group shots of us as we waited for the start.  Everyone was talking of their targets.  The course was supposed to be a quick one but looking at previous results and a course record of 1:02:50, perhaps it wasn’t going to be as quick as we’d thought.  The temperature edged up to 18 degrees to add to the equation.

At 1000 we were away and threading through the narrow streets and out into the countryside. 

View of route from Mdina City Wall to Sliema

Even pacing would be the key to the race today.  Chris H, hoping to break 1:30, hit the first mile marker in 6:47, pretty much bang on target but a bit close for comfort.  Janet, Dave Mounter (who was celebrating his 60th the next day) and Pete Drew were also pacing it well. 

Alison and Chris B were hoping to break 2 hours.  Dennis was planning to run 9 minute miles and offered the pair a bit of experienced pacing to bring them home in 1:57.  Whether it was because Dennis had a dodgy knee or they felt good, they left the old warhorse for dead and shot off down the road!
Dennis kept to his 9 minute plan and passing through orange groves at 4 miles with the sun beating down, Chris B loomed into his sights, head bobbing.  The sun was taking its toll on the lad already.  Dennis churned out mile after mile almost 9 minutes to the second.  By 8 miles, Ali had succumbed.  Dennis finished in 1:57:03.  9 minute miling spot on.

 Chris H was avoiding checking his mile splits and concentrated on running the race.  Feeling strong and that his pace was sub 1:30, it was good to hear a spectator shout “Well Done guys, you’re under 1:30 pace”.  No time for letting up, he pushed on up the 1K drag at the 10 mile mark.  The final 3 miles followed the seafront.  Thinking at least a low 1:29 was on the cards, Chris had a shock when he saw how close it was when he crossed the line with only a few seconds to spare.

Janet was hoping her niggling hamstring would not hamper her run. The occasional twinge gave her cause for concern but she managed to deliver a solid 1:38. 

 Dave Mounter was finding that his Duchy training was just about spot on as he crossed the line in 1:46 on the day before his 60th birthday.  Nice One, Dave.

Pete Drew’s target of a sub 1:50 clocking was achieved as he came into sight down the seafront with a couple of minutes to spare.  He stopped his watch at 1:49.  Job Done!

Dennis was next in at 1:57.  Then it was an agonising wait as the 2 hour mark approached.  It came and went.  No sign of Ali or Chris B.  Suddenly there was Ali, crossing the line in 2:00:59.

Further back, Judy Jameson and Carol Culley were having terrific runs.  Both of them got a London place through the club after being rejected in the ballot.  They’ve been cracking out the training and the results were plain to see.  Running together, they were well up on their PB times.  At a drink station with 2 miles to go, they spied Chris B up ahead.  The sun had reeked havoc and left him drained.  The girls drew level and then pulled away.  Both of them knocked minutes off of their PB’s.  Credit where credit is due.  Chris dug in and kept on their tails despite the pain he was enduring. 

 All 3 crossed the line within seconds of each other to the loud vocal support of all the Carnies and supporters at the finish.

We managed a team photo at the finish before heading back to the Hotel for a well earned rest.

Another slap-up meal and drink session in the evening rounded off a fantastic day.  At the Running Crazy party in the evening Judy and Dave received awards for their tremendous runs.

The weather on Monday didn’t kick us in the teeth as is usual the day after a warm, sunny race.  It was blue skies again and we spent the last day enjoying the sun before jetting off home again in the evening.

Another fantastic club trip abroad.  Thanks to Malcolm and Gerry at Running Crazy for a great 4 days in Malta.  Check out the Running Crazy website for more races abroad.

Results:

Chris Harper  1:29:57
Janet Ritchie  1:38:54
Dave Mounter  1:46:50
Pete Drew  1:49:06
Dennis Burrell  1:57:03
Alison Galloway 2:00:59
Judy Jameson  2:07:31 PB
Carol Culley  2:07:33 PB
Chris Beresford 2:07:40