Adding spice to your racing

The MMOC have been in recent contact with last year's BMW Malta Marathon winner (and record holder) Abdelkebir Marchane and have extended an invitation to him to come and defend his title. As yet, he is unable to confirm his entry.

The race organisers are also in negotiations to have some African (male) athletes, who currently live and train in Italy, taking part in the full marathon.

This year, the Marathon Race Headquarters (and race registration) will be at the showroom of race sponsors BMW in Gzira. More details, with registration times will be provided shortly.

Now that the newly-resurfaced roads have been opened once more to traffic, the marathon and half marathon routes will revert to going down the Zebbug road and thus out at Marsa. The MMOC are currently meeting with the Police and Traffic Wardens to see how it might be possible to have even more traffic control than in previous years.

As always, complete road closure is not really an option.

Take part in any one of the large-city marathons in Europe and the US and the chances are there will be live music provided at many points along the route; anything from Caribbean reggae to rhythmic African drums and hard rock music.

A great many of the runners are not taking part to run as fast as possible, but rather to enjoy the journey. The live music adds to the carnival joyous nature of the event.

The MMOC are in the process of contacting local band clubs and musicians along the marathon route to see if it is possible to create a similar atmosphere in next month's race. The signs already look promising.

There is no limit to the kind of music, so if you are in a local band / group and would like to take part where the marathon passes through your town, please contact the marathon organisers by email to info@maltamarathon.com to ar-range a preliminary meeting.

Recently it was noted that Briton Paul Gardner has applied to take part in this his 21st consecutive Malta Marathon.

Gardner is one of a select band of four runners who have completed every single Malta Marathon since the inaugural event in 1986.

Perhaps this may have inspired Charles Herd (another of the quartet of marathoners) to post off his entry form last week. Herd, and his wife Mary-Rose will be on the marathon startline on March 5.

Talking of applications, a great many Maltese runners have not yet applied.

Please do not leave this till the last minute. If for no other reason, remember that those who apply after February 1 will not find their name listed as an entrant in the Official Magazine. So get those applications off today.

Are you one of those runners whose only target is to take part on Marathon Day?

Something seems to happen to runners when they get in marathon-mode; they no longer take part in other events leading up to the big day, and just focus full-time on their training.

This can lead to mile after mile of monotonous training for month after month and is not recommended.

Nothing tells a runner the truth like a race performance. You can have as many great training runs as you wish, but it's doing the business on race day that counts. Having a regular check on how your performance is improving in shorter events leading up to the marathon will help to ensure that there are no nasty surprises on March 5.

Examples of races to consider are today's 5km relay at Marsascala.

As a team event, this has the added spice of forcing each runner to do his best for the good of the team. Even if you feel it's not your day, you still have to give 100 per cent because your team-mates are relying on you.

This is a rare team event in what is usually an individual sport, and thus has the added benefit of putting each runner under that little bit of extra pressure.

Another event to apply for is the upcoming Attard 10k.

This is one of the faster 10k road races on the calendar and is excellently organised. Contact Attard Local Council for more information.