Let me start right away with an 'apology'. I was wrong last week to write that there is a new total record of 375 Maltese runners taking part in this year's BMW Malta Half and Full marathons.

Actually, there are over 425 local runners taking part. That's the good news, and there is no bad news.

I have always believed that if the Malta Marathon was to grow substantially, then it would only do so by increasing the participation of Maltese competitors.

Consider other marathons, even major events, around the globe. There might be 5,000 foreigners participating in the London Marathon each year, but that still means there are 25,000 UK runners making up the bulk of the field.

Same with New York, Berlin, Rome... any marathon you care to name. If the race is to be a success, then the majority of the runners must be local.

So, to see over 425 Maltese runners participating this year is extremely encouraging. Of course, very few of them would classify themselves as runners. As in the London Marathon, it may even be the case that most of them do not take part in any other race throughout the year, but are content to run only this one event.

Some might be fit from working out in a gym regularly, or from playing football. A very large number (over 75) are from the AFM, and thereby fit from their army training.

A good number are running it to raise funds for charity. Every runner has his/her own reason to run tomorrow. Now, let's consider some last-minute details.

As those who have taken part in a few marathons should know, you pack your bag tonight, not tomorrow morning.

Make sure you have your full racing apparel and running shoes ready, with your race number already pinned on your top. It's a good idea to include a T-shirt in your bag in case it's chilly, and even an extra black plastic garbage bag to pull over your head to keep you warm on the startline.

You can easily discard the garbage bag once you start running and warm up. Have a full change of clothes for the finish, including dry socks and shoes, even a beanie to stop heat-loss from your head. Also a towel.

Throw in some carbohydrate drinks, or fruit juice to sup after the finish, because you need to replace the energy you have used along the way. Even a carbo bar.

Tonight have an early night, and rise early enough to eat some light carbohydrate meal three hours before your race. This can be as simple as toast and jam with tea, or some cereal.

Don't come to the startline hungry. If you are running the half marathon and making your own way to Mdina, be at the start in plenty of time, because some of the roads may be closed due to the marathon which will have already begun. There's never much to say at these times.

Just slow down and take care of the little details of your preparation so you don't have to panic because you have forgotten something once you leave the house.

The Malta Marathon Organising Committee, on behalf of BMW, the main sponsors, would like to wish all competitors every success tomorrow. See you at the finish line.