The 2013 Żurrieq Half Marathon is set to be the biggest ever in the race’s history as, besides attracting a record entry, the programme will also feature two new events with the walkathon and a 10km run added to the traditional half marathon.

Such transformation has been possible after the organisers, Żurrieq Wolves Athletics Club, teamed up with the Malta Marathon Organising Committee (MMOC).

Mauro Pace Parascandalo, the Żurrieq Wolves secretary, told a news conference that the annual race has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of entries with 340 runners already registered to take part in one of the three events scheduled for November 3.

“We are bracing ourselves for the biggest edition of the Żurrieq Half Marathon,” Pace Parascandalo told the media at the Express Trailers offices in Ħal Farruġ.

“This year’s races have already set new participation records by some distance. So far, 340 runners have registered – a three-fold increase on the usual figures – and this number could go up further in the coming weeks as the closing date for applications is October 20.

“Our decision to team up with MMOC and Express Trailers has given the event a timely boost.

“Joe Micallef and his team have great experience in organising these kind of races and their knowledge will help to turn our event into one of the most popular in Malta.”

Micallef’s inclusion in the organising team has been a key factor behind the introduction of a 10km race and the walkathon in the annual event organised by Żurrieq Wolves.

“The walkathon is very popular in the Malta marathon,” Micallef said yesterday.

“This event provides first-time participants with a good oppor-tunity to cover the distance in a more relaxed spirit as they can walk, jog or run throughout the distance. I’m sure that the walk-athon and 10K run will help to attract more participants.

“Hopefully we will surpass the threshold of 400 entries this year.”

The 21km half marathon will take runners through various villages in the south, namely Qrendi, Mqabba, Kirkop and Żurrieq.

On race day, Żurrieq Wolves, in collaboration with the Żurrieq Local Council, will organise a Sport for All event.

“The main idea behind the Sport for All concept is to encourage youngsters to take up a sport,” Pace Parascandalo said.

“We have contacted the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport who have agreed to send a number of coaches to promote various disciplines such as football, volleyball, martial arts, table tennis and basketball.

“This will be held at the Mattia Preti square at 9am.”

Main sponsor

Express Trailers are the main sponsors of this year’s edition.

Franco Azzopardi, chairman of Express Trailers Group, said: “This is the first time we are supporting an athletics event.

“We have decided to sponsor this race as Express Trailers and road runners share the same environment – the roads.

“We felt that we had to give something back to the community and we are pleased to be lending a helping hand to the Żurrieq Wolves Club in organising this event.

“Besides, we will also field a team of runners which will make the day even more special for us.”

Applications for the Żurrieq Half Marathon can be downloaded from www.maltamarathon.com.

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