Malta Marathon result to stand despite lead car controversy
Hicham El Barouki and Abdelhakimi El Fehi have been confirmed as the winner and runner-up respectively of the 25th Land Rover Malta Marathon.
The Malta Marathon Organising Committee in a statement this evening referred to the incident on Sunday when the lead car took a wrong route, throwing the four front-runners off the course.
The two Moroccans continued the race despite having to cover an extra three kilometers but pre-race favourite Neals Strik of Holland, and local hopeful Jonathan Balzan had to abandon the race.
"For this incident, the Malta Marathon Organising Committee (MMOC) accepts full responsibility," the MMOC statement said. "We have consulted the IAAF rule book in light of the following facts: a) the Moroccan athletes ran further than the official race distance; b) they were under the visual supervision of a race official at all times; and c) by running off course the athletes did not gain any material advantage.
"For all of the above reasons the MMOC has officially awarded the Moroccans first and second place in the 25th Malta Marathon 2010.
"Without in any way wishing to play down the negative impact of this incident on the four runners concerned, the MMOC has already held open and candid meetings with the Moroccan and Dutch runners concerned and all three have expressed themselves completely satisfied with the way the unfortunate incident has been handled by the MMOC.
"All three have kindly accepted the MMOC's invitation to return to Malta next year to once again take part in the Malta Marathon."
The MMOC said that even with the best will in the world, there is no way this incident could be undone.
"We intend to reasonably compensate Jonathan Balzan for prize money he may have been denied by this incident despite the fact that his own stated anticipated predicted time would not have entitled him to any prize money," the statement added.
"The MMOC feels this compensation could enable him to run a marathon abroad in lieu of this missed opportunity."
The MMOC said it deeply regretted the incident and was willing to do everything humanly possible to ensure that it would never happen again.
It added that last Sunday's event was an immensely satisfying one for the vast majority of participants in the record entry field of over 1,400 competitors.
"We would like to once again express our appreciative thanks for the vital role played by our sponsor, partners, government agencies, officials, and helpers," the committee concluded.
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J. Micallef
Mar 4th 2010, 12:01
In order to clarify as to why Jonathan and the Dutchman were not also redirected to join the route, the following should be known. At the time of the unprecedented incident, the 4 athletes were being accompanied by a marathon official. The official at this time was trying to get all 4 athletes to rejoin the route, however the pack was split in 2 as the Moroccans forged ahead and the official was only able to redirect them. Had it been Jonathan and or the Dutchman who were leading, the official would have directed them to join the route. The circumstances did not allow the marathon organisers to provide a second official to direct Jonathan and the Dutchman to also rejoin the route.
J Micallef
Mar 4th 2010, 11:53
“@Joseph Schembri . The compensation the MMOC is offering is not for Jonathan’s commitment to the sport but due to the fact that due to the incident, he was denied the chance to obtain a time within his capability that would have entitled him to the time bonuses. The Moroccans as well as the Dutch were similarly compensated. As to commitment.
I totally agree that every single participant is committed in his own way.
Although the race magazine does mention the yellow line and not the Lead Car, the latter was placed in front of the leading runners who would not be expected to look out for the yellow line.
Joseph Schembri
Mar 3rd 2010, 17:36
@P Balzan: Did Jonathan finish the race? No. In the real world that's called a "DNF" - you don't get prize money for stating what you time *should* be; you get prize money for actually finishing the race. I'm sorry; I respect Jonathan's talent with regards to the competitors around him and I cannot doubt his commitment. What I can and will doubt is his sportsmanship. That same rule book you mention also clearly states that an athlete should "only turn to follow the yellow line". It's a basic rule that anyone with a reasonable IQ can follow. No lead cars nor race marshals are mentioned ... just a simple yellow line which unfortunately Mr. Balzan was unable to follow.
P Balzan
Mar 3rd 2010, 10:30
@ Joseph Schembri & L Sant
"The issue is not Jonathan's commitment - it's the fact that prize money is awarded according to the finishing time and not the commitment the athlete delivers! Every athlete (myself included) who finished the race put in the commitment to deliver the best performance possible ... that does not entitle one to any prize money"
Jonathan's stated time was below 2 hrs 30 mins.as a runner yourself and have booklet given wth your number, look what PRIZE AWARDS for bonuses state and what he would have been entitled. No one else better than me can clearly state what happened, lies and misinformaton are still going despite the release issued!!! So justify your comments now!! Seems ur picking only on Jonathan whereas the others have been compensated. Any compensation will never make up what he's going through for a mistake by others.
As for the 2 Moroccans they were redirected in the race. FOR Jonathan & the Dutch no officials were sent! I can witness that I personally was told to go and STOP them from continuing by the organizers themselves.You think this is fair?!
Before you comment further plse be aware of true facts!!
sean grima
Mar 3rd 2010, 10:06
a wise man once said something to the effect that the value of sports is in participating, not winning.
nobody is criticising jonathan's committment, but it would seem that he was not the only athlete who suffered from the same mistake - however the others completed the race, whilst he retired. i do not understand why he could not have done the same thing.
Antoine Attard
Mar 2nd 2010, 20:24
L.Sant reaction is crass ignorance. Balzan has been the top Maltese long distance runner for a long time now. His success is only due to dedication and perseverance. He does not recieve any income for his sinews and he has chosen to pass his free time day in day out training all alone. I have been following Balzan and I can only say that his only ambition is to better his personal best. People like L. Sant should hide their face in shame and not dare critisize the local athletes who are not wooed to other sports on the basis of money but for sheer love of athletics.
L. Sant
Mar 2nd 2010, 17:57
The winner covered his full distance (42km) PLUS the 3 extra kilometers in about 2hrs 32mins. Assuming no mistake was made, I am quite positive that he'd have otherwise done it in under 2hrs 25mins (his previous participations elsewhere indicate a similar time), which is still better than Jonathan Blzan's National Record of ~ 2hrs 26mins.
However unlike Blazan, the winner did not sulk and stop but continued despite a detour, and was eventually rightfully crowned. What I don't get is why didn't Balzan continue like the two Moroccans did? And why on earth is he going to be remunerated for getting disqualified due to his own actions (failure to follow the leading car, no matter what)? That's not fair sport. Who cares if he's one hundred times better or had the potential...he didn't make and that's that, no? So next time I'll complain about not being given enough water (not true) and hence failing to come first....oh come on!
John Debattista
Mar 2nd 2010, 17:41
_ M M O C _ taf x' ghandek taghmel WARAB ghax FROGA sarret.......................
amifsud
Mar 2nd 2010, 17:29
These things do not happen at a well organized event of this magnitude. There is no excuse for this, and sadly, even though the MMOc has accepted responsibility I don not see the words "apologise" or "sorry" in their statement. There have been a number of examples of bad administration win the MMOC in the past.
A few years ago I attempted to apply from overseas. The fax number on the website did not work, the email address did not worka nd there was no way of applying online. SO I ahd to call family in Malta to apply for me. When I brought this up to the organizers on registration, one of the top people at the MMOC just laughed it off as insignificant. Then I ahd numerous marsahlling issues with traffic not stopping.
Something has to be done.
daniel zammit
Mar 2nd 2010, 17:17
It is a shame that such an error was taken by the official lead car .In this day and age with all the technology around a simple GPS would have surely avoided a three km deviation or even an extra run around the block.I think most of the athletes preperation is not taken seriously enough and much is being focused on the number of participants.When a Marathon of this size with all those participants takes place there has to be back up from a to z and an issue regarding the basic direction of the Malta Marathon must surely be top priority.With all the stresses these athletes endure I find it hard to believe that logistics should fail.There is no excuse where basics are concerned.
A zahra
Mar 2nd 2010, 16:04
It is not fair on Mr.Balzan ,he does a big effort for such events always running in our village streets at Safi every body see him. You are a CHAMPION Mr. Balzan even though you were denied such title last Sunday! . Safi is proud of you ;)
Joseph Schembri
Mar 2nd 2010, 13:54
@M. Vella:
"We intend to reasonably compensate Jonathan Balzan for prize money he may have been denied by this incident despite the fact that his own stated anticipated predicted time would not have entitled him to any prize money,"
The issue is not Jonathan's commitment - it's the fact that prize money is awarded according to the finishing time and not the commitment the athlete delivers! Every athlete (myself included) who finished the race put in the commitment to deliver the best performance possible ... that does not entitle one to any prize money.
M . Vella
Mar 2nd 2010, 13:25
@ Jason Gauci
Can you do it better? If so am sure the organising committee would love to have you on board. Yes it is an unpardonable mistake but for heaven's sake give these guys some slack.
Mistakes happen to the best of us - see the issues and mess ups that the Vancouver Olympics were faced with
jason gauci
Mar 2nd 2010, 13:10
@ louis azzopardi ...'''' but unfortunately sometimes these things happen '''''
these THINGS NEVER HAPPEN !! MA noqodux ninhbew wara l volontarjat......event ta din ix xorta professjonalita trid !
Dominic Vella
Mar 2nd 2010, 13:04
I'm with Louis Azzopardi. I hate it when Malta is criticised, even when it is deserved. I think Malta should host the Olympics. If anything goes wrong and we get criticised we can just tell everyone that it was a lot of effort to organise, shrug our shoulders, and say, 'It's unfortunate, but sometimes these things happen.'
M. Vella
Mar 2nd 2010, 13:01
It is very easy to criticise and put people down when you are sitting comfortable at home reading the newspaper but unfortunately mistakes happen even to the best of us.
I am not condoning or playing down the mistake far from it, but come one guys give these people some slack, they work hard to organise such an event. Having said that if you think you are capable why not offer your voluntary services like they do?
@ Joseph Schembri
What makes you think it was undeserved? Do you know the commitment Jonathan Balzan has towards this sport? Have you seen his successes in the last years? Probably not, so please refrain from putting stupid comments which are unjust..
Louis Azzopardi
Mar 2nd 2010, 12:25
To G. Cutajar: I say that it is very easy to criticise when one does nothing but sit on the fence. Has he got a clue what kind of organisation - totally voluntary - is required to host such an event which year after year keeps breaking participation records.
There is no doubt that this incident was uncalled for and obviously I feel for the athletes who had trained for the event but unfortunately sometimes these things happen.
Joe Camilleri
Mar 2nd 2010, 11:08
I am sorry for the athletes concerned.
Remindas me of the maltese folk story 'in-naghag ta bendu'
Joseph Schembri
Mar 2nd 2010, 07:19
Can I whine a bit too to get some undeserved prize money??
G. Cutajar
Mar 2nd 2010, 04:37
Only in Malta!!