The 2008 Malta International Challenge Marathon gets underway this afternoon when runners will negotiate the first leg of this three-stage race, starting near Mdina Gardens.

Now in its 18th edition, the Malta International Challenge Marathon has become a fixture in the local athletics calendar. Foreign and local athletes are usually lured to this event by its unique format whereby the 42.195km marathon distance is covered in three stages spanning three consecutive days.

Today's opening leg is 11.19km long and finishes in Saqqajja, Rabat. The intermediate leg tomorrow will see participants run 6km in the Birżebbuġa area before the marathon wraps up on Sunday morning with the final stage from St Paul's Bay to Freedom Square in Valletta.

The top honours in last year's Challenge went to Brian Magri and Carol Walsh.

At the 2008 race launch last month, organiser Barry M. Whitmore announced the introduction of a new competition for pairs. The winning trophies will go to the couple with the fastest combined time for the entire Challenge.

The presentations ceremony will be held on Monday at the Dolmen Resort Hotel.