Local runners out to defend titles
A number of arteries will be closed for traffic this morning to make roads safer for 730 local and foreign athletes in the 18th edition of the Malta Marathon, this year sponsored for the first time by German car manufacturers BMW, locally represented...
A number of arteries will be closed for traffic this morning to make roads safer for 730 local and foreign athletes in the 18th edition of the Malta Marathon, this year sponsored for the first time by German car manufacturers BMW, locally represented by Muscats Motors Ltd.
The Malta Marathon organisers last week issued official figures for this year's races, which again start from Rabat. The finish line, as in all past 17 races, is at The Strand, in Sliema.
For the marathon, there were 205 registrations and 525 opted for the half-marathon. The Maltese participation this year is a record one - 350. There will be athletes from various countries - 18 in all. The German contingent, around 170, is the best represented ahead of the Britons who will have 100 athletes on the starting line.
Malta's favourite athlete Carol Galea will be making a bold bid for her 11th success in the half-marathon. Last year, she chalked up her 10th victory over the 21.97km distance, breasting the tape first in 1:16.54 ahead of Charmaine Sciberras. In 2002, she was ninth overall in the half-marathon which was dominated by Maltese runners.
Charles Cilia won the men's race in 1:10.22 ahead of Brian Magri and Michael Gellel. Cilia will defend his title again today but Magri has opted for the longer distance.
Another long-distance runner looking to make it two wins on the trot is Cecilia Fenech. She won the women's marathon in 1995 but last year she was back again in strong fashion to beat the challenge of US runner Siri Terjesen who had to settle for second place, around three minutes behind Fenech.
The prize-giving ceremony will be held today at 8 p.m. at race headquarters, the Galaxy Hotel, Sliema.
Records
Marathon: Hugh Jones (England, 1993) 2.19.30; Caroline Hunter-Rowe (England, 1994) 2.40.28.
Locals: Joe Pace (1995) 2.28.27; Cecilia Fenech (1995) 3.00.03.
Half marathon: Mark Hudspith (England, 1995) 1.02.50; Carol Galea (1997) 1.14.19.
Locals: Gerald Degaetano (1990) 1.07.19; Carol Galea (1997) 1.14.19.
The Routes
Marathon (42.195km) - Saqqajja, Roman Villa, Mtarfa Bypass, Mosta-Mgarr crossroads, Mosta Square, Valletta Road, St Catherine's Hospital, Ta' Qali runway, Mdina Road (past Zebbug and through Qormi), Turkish Cemetery, December 13, Blata l-Bajda, Msida, Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, Sliema.
Half-marathon (21.97km) - Saqqajja, Rabat (Nigret), Mtarfa Bypass, Mdina Road roundabout, Mdina Road (past Zebbug and through Qormi), Turkish Cemetery, December 13, Blata l-Bajda, Msida, Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, Sliema.