The 2011 Malta International Challenge Marathon (MICM), to be held from November 25-27, has attracted a record number of Maltese runners... and a new sponsor, Nestle Fitness.

Barry Whitmore, the MICM organiser, yesterday told a news conference that 110 of the 155-strong field are Maltese.

“I’m pleased to announce that this year’s challenge will see a record number of Maltese athletes taking part,” he said.

“We have 110 Maltese runners who have confirmed their participation plus 45 overseas runners who hail from 11 different countries. 2010 winner Jonathan Balzan and Carmen Hili are again spearheading Malta’s challenge as both will be looking to win the event for the fifth time.

“Furthermore, some renowned personalities have also decided to take up the challenge. Nathan Farrugia, who has recently completed a remarkable feat of running 27 marathons in 27 days, will be joined by his wife Deirdre while triathlete Nicky Farrugia, who has done 15 ironman races in his career, will also be on the starting line.

“Of the foreign entries, English runner David Mansbridge will be bidding to add to his record six titles.”

Whitmore was also delighted to announce that Nestle Fitness have agreed to sponsor the Challenge, now in its 21st edition, for the next three years.

The three-stage marathon gets underway on Friday, November 25 with the traditional 11.195km race from Mdina Gate to Dingli Cliffs and back to Rabat. The following day, a 6km leg will be held in Birżebbuġa while the third and final day will see the competitors take in a 25km run from St Paul’s Bay to Valletta.

Whitmore said that the 2011 challenge is being held in memory of athletics coach and fitness promoter John Walsh who passed away earlier this year. A minute’s silence will be observed before the start of the first stage.