There was a clear hint that long distance running is on the increase among the Maltese following the healthy participation in some local races this season, including last December's Mdina-Spinola race which had an entry field almost twice as much as the previous year.
The rise in interest left a positive mark on this year's Malta Marathon on Sunday, February 25.
Yesterday, it was announced that a record entry of at least 440 Maltese runners will be on the starting line just outside Mdina, beating the previous best of 402 set in 2004.
Speaking at the launching of the race at Muscat Motors yesterday, Race Director Joe Micallef said that the BMW Malta Marathon has established itself as the biggest sporting event organised annually in Malta.
"These figures prove that our races have gained in prestige and popularity among local runners since the first edition of 1986," Micallef said. "On that year, the total number of local entries was 67... today we have reached a record 440. It seems, long distance running has become an integral part of our lifestyle and we are glad to have played our part in achieving that."
Micallef added that through the Malta Tourism Authority, they had managed to attract around 370 foreign runners with the biggest group coming from Germany - 200. Another 100 will come from the UK.
In all, more than 810 are expected to race from Mdina to Sliema for either the full- or the half-marathon.
Micallef said the response was so emphatic that this year the organising committee was forced to make a limit on the number of participants.
"Due to a restricted amount of medals available this year we had to introduce a quota for entries," Micallef said.
"We have an order for 850 medals and we don't want to disappoint any of the finishers. Anyone still interested will do well to apply as soon as possible."
The registration of local runners, during which they will be able to pick their race number, will be held at Muscat Motors next Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Foreign runners will complete their registration forms the following Saturday, between 3 and 7 p.m. at the same place.
Micallef said 2006 marathon winner Carmen Hili and Lisa Marie Bezzina, first in the half-marathon, are both expected to defend their titles. Carol Walsh, 12-time winner of the half-marathon, will be back after skipping last year's race.
Moroccan runner Abdelkebir Marchane, a four-time winner of the marathon, will be running the shorter distance this year while Charles Cilia and Jonathan Balzan are expected to compete in the full marathon.
Micallef confirmed that Moroccans Banniz Youssef and Mohammed El Hattab will be in the full marathon but Kenyan Joshua Kipchumba will not be back after winning the men's marathon in 2:21 last year.
El Hattab placed 10th in the 2002 London Marathon in 2:11.50 while for Youssef, who has a personal best in the half marathon of 1:02.03, the Malta Marathon will be his first experience over the 42km distance.
The organisers are also in negotiations with two high-profile Kenyans to run the marathon.
The routes will not be changed and that might be of some relief for Marchane who lost his way last year before quitting the race.
The marathon, which starts from outside Mdina at 8 a.m., will again include the flat loop around Ta' Qali, Attard and Mosta. The half marathon starts at 10 a.m. and will again run through the Rabat town centre before heading for Ta' Qali.
The marathon and half-marathon runners will then run the same identical route from Zebbug all the way to the finish line at the Ferries, Sliema.
As in past years, there will also be a 2km Fun Run that starts at 9 a.m. at the Strand. This year's run is also open to parents rather than just children as the organisers are looking to make it an enjoyable family activity. Around 400 are expected to take part.
BMW are the main sponsors while San Michel, Powerade and Urban Jungle are the other official suppliers of the races.