Routes slightly amended to avoid rough Nigret lane

There was hardly any chance for a breather following last year’s record-breaking mara-thon as the organising committee set the ball rolling in earnest for this year’s races.

The late John Walsh was soon working on the design for the medal that all marathon, half marathon and walkathon participants will adorn as they cross the finish line in two weeks’ time.

Contracts with the four existing official partners of the race were extended for a further two years and the on-line application system and Malta Marathon website were totally revamped.

During this last year, there were very few days that went by when no progress on the 2012 Malta Marathon was achieved.

The closer one gets to D-Day, the more work there is to be done and deadlines have to be met.

Running numbers, medals and trophies, timing chips, bibs, T-shirts, sponges, water, fruit, transport, magazine and newspaper adverts all have to be booked beforehand.

Traffic management on the day is planned together with Transport Malta, Arriva and the Police.

Arrangements and attendance for six evenings of registration have to be made and the finish gantry has to be dismantled right after the event finishes.

Anyone giving any kind of service on marathon day has to be approached and plans need to be put together so that everything works like clockwork on the day.

The rather long list include government departments, Malta Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance, Scout Groups, several companies and associations and an army of individual volunteers.

Seems all so simple when putting it down but, believe me, it isn’t when you need to coordinate everything.

Not many people seem to understand why there to applications that should be strictly observed.

Besides having to base several orders on the number of participants that cannot be left until the very last minute, the committee needs to concentrate on the organisation of the event and not on late applications.

Meanwhile, there has been a slight change to the route that affects both marathon and half marathon.

The routes will no longer pass from the narrow and rough lane in Nigret. Instead of turning left towards the lane, the route turns right towards the Mtarfa by-pass. The route still turns left into Triq Għajn Kajjiet from Vjal il-Ħelsien before taking the right turn.

The reduced distance is made up in a detour through the core of Attard.

The routes will no longer pass through Triq Nutar Zarb (so no worries of going too fast past the speed camera) but will go through Triq Il-Kbira, Triq Birkirkara, Triq Karm Debono and Triq il-Belt Valletta to end up near the Attard cemetery.

Please help us make the event another successful one.

If you were thinking of bringing your baby or pet with you, please don’t... it’s not allowed and it’s not ethical.

If you know of someone thinking of cycling the marathon route on the day, ask them not to do so.

This may annoy other participants, it’s not fair on them and it’s dangerous.

Meanwhile, don’t forget that registration starts next Saturday.

You must collect your race number and timing chip from the Urban Jungle store at the Sliema Ferries.

Registration can be made from 19.00 to 21.30.

Race in numbers

Participants 2,500
Elite invited pro runners 3 to 4
Traffic management 160
Traffic cones 600
Marshals along the route 60
Helpers along the route 150
Officials at the finish 50
Helpers at the finish 20
Bands along the route 16
Ambulances 6
Mobile toilets 24
San Michel water bottles 18,000
Sponges 8,300
Powerade energy drinks 7,900
Bananas 2,500