Land Rover sponsors Malta Marathon

Land Rover has been named official sponsor of the Malta Marathon for the next five years. The event will henceforth be known as the 'Land Rover Malta Marathon'.

Land Rover agents Muscats Motors and BMW have supported the event for the past six years.

The 2009 Land Rover Malta Marathon and Half Marathon will be held on March 1.

The Malta Marathon is one of the island's most popular international sporting events. Starting off with 109 participants in 1986, this year's edition surpassed a milestone when the field of participants soared to more than 1,000, including 700 overseas athletes.

The organising committee and the Malta Tourism Authority are working to increase the number of participants further by promoting it as an annual international event. The committee is to retain initiatives introduced over the years, such as electronic chip timing, bands along the route, and the participation of elite international athletes, but it is to strive to continue to raise the standard of the event.

Its main efforts will be concentrated on reducing the traffic congestion along the route, through greater collaboration with the Police and a possible change in the routes of both the full marathon and half marathon.

For the first time, online registration will also be available through the Land Rover Malta Marathon website. Athletes, whether having registered online or by standard mail, will be able to check if they have been accepted for their chosen event from the website. Athletes will also be able to check that their registration details have been entered correctly.

Powerade, Urban Jungle and San Michel have confirmed that they will continue to support the Land Rover Malta Marathon and will remain official partners to the event.