Moroccan Abdel Kebir Marchane will be seeking to make it an unprecedented five titles when he returns for the BMW Malta Marathon which will be held on March 5.
This and other details were given by Race Director Joe Micallef and Muscat Motors general manager Henry Scicluna during the marathon and half marathon launching yesterday at the BMW showroom in Gzira.
Micallef is anticipating better numbers than last year when 701 runners were on the starting line for the full and half marathon.
Marchane established the Malta Marathon record in 2005 when he ran the 26-mile distance from Mdina to Sliema in 2:19.08.
He had previously won the race in 2001, 2003 and 2004.
"Marchane will return to defend his title," Micallef said. "He starts favourite again but we are also in the process of negotiating a contract for another Moroccan and a Kenyan to come over and challenge Marchane.
"Registration this year looks encouraging, particularly from the locals. We are now convinced that our races are viewed as the most important events of the year."
Local registration has reached 360 and that for overseas runners is expected to be in the region of 370. Last year, of the 701 participants, 307 were foreigners.
The Malta Marathon Organising Committee are looking to work on various initiatives to upgrade the marathon.
This year, there will be 200 Germans for the races, also thanks to the contribution of the Malta Tourism Authority. More promotional work is expected to be targeted in other countries in 2007, mainly Italy and France.
"It is not enough to have better weather than other countries," Micallef said. "The event itself should also attract athletes."
This year there will be better control of traffic with more marshalling planned. A few roads will also be totally closed to traffic and there will be live bands at different points to encourage runners along the route.
One initiative which had to be ditched was the introduction of an electronic system due to the high costs involved.
Among the favourites to finish in the leading positions from the Maltese are John Buhagiar (2000 winner) and Carmen Hili (2004 winner) in the full marathon.
Charles Cilia has won the last four half marathons in style and the way seems open for another success after it was learnt that close challenger Jonathan Balzan will not be taking part this year.
The dominant Carol Walsh is currently outside the country and will skip this year's half marathon.
An interesting challenge is likely to develop between Lisa Bezzina, second behind Walsh last year, and Cecilia Fenech who shifted to the 13-mile race after winning the marathon four times, including that of 2005.
BMW are the sole sponsors of the event for the fourth year running but there are other brands involved - the official suppliers. These are: San Michel, Powerade, Urban Jungle and Air Malta. Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija is the Official Charity.
The Police will be providing considerable assistance along with the Armed Forces, the scouts, St John Ambulance and the Malta Red Cross Society among others.
Registration (Muscat Motors): Locals - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Foreigners - March 4, 3 to 7 p.m.