First marathon according to IAAF rules (1)

Charles Casha (The Sunday Times, October 2) disputes my statement that I was the official founder of the Malta Marathon in 1986. Let me explain.

I started running in 1958 and continue to run in some form, uninterrupted, to this day. I am thoroughly familiar with the history of athletics and running on this island.

There is a narrow definition of the term ‘marathon’ with respect to long-distance road races – as legally defined worldwide in 1924 – namely, that they meet the 26.2-mile (42.2-km) requirement. Also, a walking race is certainly not the same thing as a run properly termed a ‘marathon’.

Obviously there were short distance races (under five miles) before 1986 in which a few Maltese athletes participated, such as Michael Gialanzè, Louis Lofaro, Philip Tortell, Joe Schembri and Mario Meli.

But it wasn’t until 1963, when I became the first Maltese runner to beat all my British running mates – friends with whom I also regularly trained and competed – in a long distance run,

There were very few Maltese runners at the time. Salesian Sports Club members Frans Abela, Paul Vella, Charles Micallef St John and myself had earned the nickname ‘The Black Devils’ (for our all-black running gear) when the tide finally began to turn and Maltese runners began to be showcased… But there was still a long, long way to go.

British Services-sponsored walking races and short runs could in no way be interpreted as an official Malta Marathon emerging organically from the Maltese people themselves.

The concept of a real ‘marathon’ race was still so new in the public imagination – even in 1986 – that I was hard-pressed to convince officials that we needed a police escort and ambulances on standby.

I warned them that at least some of those taking part in the inaugural marathon might collapse at the end of the long distance run from Sta Luċija to the Sliema Ferries. Malta had not previously seen the likes of such a race.

Records of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association stipulate that a race must be registered on the books to be recognised.

I still maintain that the first ever ‘official’ Malta Marathon , of which I was the recognised founder, took place in 1986 in accordance with these requirements.

I’d be more than happy to meet Mr Casha for a coffee to reminisce about the golden moments in Malta’s athletic history.

After all, I am so proud of our unique Maltese story.