Refugee Ibrahim Hussen Ahmed won the 21 kilometre-long half marathon yesterday. The 25-year-old, who joined St Patrick’s Athletic Club after he was released from detention, was born to Eritrean parents in Sudan and escaped the turmoil in Libya in 2012. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier

Morocco runner Mohammed Hajjy continued to stamp his authority on the Malta Marathon as the Italy-based runner clinched his fourth successive victory yesterday.

Local runners enjoyed more success in the women’s race as Josann Attard Pulis defied the odds after claiming the honours on her debut in the longer distance.

Over 3,600 athletes and walkers were on the starting line at Mdina Gate as the popular annual race continued to set new records in terms of participation.

Hajjy has been a dominant figure in the Malta Marathon. This year, the Moroccan imposed himself again with another strong run that saw him cross the finish line in Sliema in two hours 18 minutes and 27 seconds.

Italy’s Carmine Buccilli was second in 2:20.01 and Hicham Boufars, also of Morocco, took third place in 2:20.30.

Hajjy said: “This is my fourth successive win and that is a really big achievement for me. I’m already thinking of making it five in a row next year and, if possible, in a much faster time.”

Hajjy’s time yesterday was over two minutes slower than his record of 2013 (2:16.06). He said lack of support from the other early pacesetters dashed his hopes of setting a new benchmark.

Malta Marathon winners Mohammed Hajjy and Josann Attard Pulis (bottom).

“Unfortunately, I had little support from the others and given the windy conditions on the day, it’s hard to clock a very good time on your own,” he said.

“Perhaps, next year the organisers will think about bringing in two or three steady pacemakers as that is the only way to upgrade the levels.”

Attard Pulis had an outstanding debut in the marathon as she stormed home in three hours and 20 seconds to succeed Carmen Hili who had won the race in each of the last two years.

France’s Anne Bitrou Gaillard was second in 3:14.27 and Karen Xerri third in 3:17.10.

“I have been training very hard and I knew I was good enough to place among the podium winners,” the confident Attard Pulis said.

“Being my first full marathon I was somewhat sceptical at first but on the day I performed really well and I am happy to have won it. No doubt, I owe this success to my coach Mark Farrugia who has always believed in my abilities.

“My family also deserve a mention as they’ve always been there for me.”

Jonathan Balzan was the first Maltese runner home.

The St Patrick’s AC veteran crossed the finish line in sixth place overall in 2:30.55 after overtaking the fading Andrew Grech in the final kilometre of the race.

“This year I had a few injury problems to deal with so my goal was to complete the Malta Marathon in 2:30,” Balzan told Times of Malta.

“Andrew Grech was having a great race in front of me but then I doubled my efforts to achieve my goal.

“Now, I’m pleased to have succeeded in topping the Malta runners’ list for the eighth time.”