Elite Kenyans and Moroccans in marathon

There is a possibility that there will be a new record time set in the full marathon tomorrow.

This year the organisers have invited over two top-class Moroccan runners. Morocco is a country with a rich tradition in long distance running since the 1980s, including such Olympic champions as Said Aouita, Hicham El Guerrouj and Khaled Skah.

In listing top Moroccan athletes, we must also include Abdelkebir Marchane, the Sicily-based runner who has won four previous editions of the Malta Marathon, and holds the route record with a time of 2:19:08.

This year it is expected that Marchane will take part in the half marathon.

The invited Moroccans are: Youssef Banniz who is making his debut at the full marathon distance, but already has a half marathon PB of 1:02:03, and Mohammed El Hattab, who has a very quick time of 2:11:50 when placing 10th in the 2002 London Marathon.

To make the marathon even more exciting, the organisers are pleased to announce that two elite Kenyan runners will also be taking part tomorrow.

Here, it should be recalled that Kenyan Joshua Kipchumba won last year's BMW Malta Marathon in 2:21, and the East African nation is the undisputed world powerhouse for depth of high-class marathon runners.

Metto Kipkering Philemon has a personal best 2.12.27, but has won 22 marathons from among the 31 in which he has participated.

He has a very quick PB of 1.01.17 in the half marathon and has won a number of half marathons, being twice-winner of the Roma-Ostia race.

In recent years he placed first in the marathons of Pisa, Livorno, Firenze, Ascoli Piceno, Latina, Reggio Emilia, and was fourth in the Carpi marathon. Being extremely versatile, he has also won many 10 km road races in Italy.

The other Kenyan, Tabut Edward Kiplimo, has a half marathon PB of 1.03.10 and has won several 10 km road races. He won the 2006 Palermo track 3,000m race, and is making his debut in the full marathon.

New record entrants

This year's events are expected to set a new all-time high for entrants by the time you read this. At the final marathon meeting last Wednesday, it was disclosed that only a handful of more applicants were required to surpass the record 867 entrants from 2001.

Since I personally know of a few runners who will apply today there is every chance that the BMW Malta Marathon of 2007 will set a new high for distance running in Malta.

This is doubly so; not only will it set a new high for total entrants, but a record number of Maltese applicants have already committed to standing on the startline tomorrow morning.

Foreign registration

With most Maltese runners collecting their race numbers last weekend, today sees the registration of foreign athletes. Registration takes place at the BMW Showroom, Muscats Motors Ltd, Gzira between 4 and 7 p.m.

If you are one of the few Maltese who have not yet come for your race number, be sure and do so today between the times just given.

No uncollected race numbers will be taken to the start tomorrow in Mdina, so if you do not come and collect your number today, you will find yourself unable to take part in the race.

Traffic

The organisers are well aware that in such a small country, it is difficult to stage a race over 26 miles of road without disrupting the traffic and alienating those who need to drive at that time.

However, we are only talking of one single day per year, and a Sunday, instead of a busy weekday when traffic problems would be much greater.

The organisers would like to appeal to all drivers... if possible, can you schedule your trip for an earlier or later time rather than between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.?

If you have to travel during that time, can you choose an alternate route, even if this means going a longer distance?

If you cannot do either of these, we ask you to have patience with all the runners, a great many of whom are tourists who travelled here (often with their spouse) to enjoy our warm climate and even warmer hospitality.

To all runners... see you on the startline.

johnwalsh42195@yahoo.it