Around 200 athletes are expected to descend on Malta to take part in the 12th Malta International Challenge Marathon to be held between November 22 and 24.
Barry Whitmore, the race organiser, yesterday gave details of the challenge during a news conference at the New Dolmen Hotel in Qawra.
Whitmore expressed his delight at the positive response received from foreign athletes, especially when one takes into consideration the tense political situation that exists around the world.
"Unfortunately, the repercussions of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US are still hampering the tourism sector and it was not at all easy for us to bring over to Malta athletes outside Europe. A glance at the entry list shows that only Europe-based athletes are coming over for the event," Whitmore said.
"However, despite all this difficulties, we still have an excellent group of athletes competing. With the quality of participants for this year's Challenge, I would dare predict that Dale Rixon's record of two hours 15 minutes 49 seconds could be in danger."
Malta will be represented by 33 athletes with Brian Magri and Catherine Bonnici, the first Maltese in last year's Challenge, both expected to start the race. David Mansbridge, overall winner in last year's race, will also return to defend his title.
Whitmore said that 191 athletes have already registered for the race with Maltese participants widely expected to fill the last few places available.
Apart from Malta, 12 countries will be represented in this year's event. Holland, with 59 athletes, will field the biggest contingent. The other countries represented are US, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Wales and Yugoslavia.
The first stage of the Challenge will take place on Friday, November 22 with an 11km run from Mdina to Rabat. The following day, the athletes will be engaged in a 6km stage in Birzebbuga. On Sunday, the third and final stage will be a 25km race from St Paul's Bay to Valletta.
Assisting Whitmore will be former UK Athletics coach Bill Steele, who during his coaching career spotted Britain's leading long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe, holder of the women's world marathon record.
"I have a lot of experience in organising races both in the UK and in other countries around the world and I must say that the Challenge Marathon compares well with other international competitions from an organisational point-of-view," Steele said.
Gatorade and San Michel are once again the main sponsors of the race. Whitmore yesterday announced that these two brands will sponsor the race for the next three years.