Nestlé Fitness Malta announced they have secured a partnership agreement with the Vodafone Malta Marathon, one of the largest sporting events in the country.

Nestlé Fitness will be the official cereal partners for the next four years, from 2015 to 2018, as well as the official social media partner for 2015.

The next Malta Marathon will be held on February 22, 2015.

The 42.195km race, as well as the 21.097km half marathon and walkathon, will again start from Mdina and finish in Sliema, each taking different routes.

Speaking about the sponsorship, Naum Janakiev, Country Business Manager, Nestlé Malta, said: “We are proud to offer our support to the biggest athletic event on the islands as we feel we could not miss out on the opportunity to be involved in this popular event.

“The new partnership, bet-ween Nestlé Fitness and the Vodafone Malta Marathon, will contribute to the success of the 2015 marathon and other forthcoming editions of the race.”

The winners of the marathon this year were Moroccan runner Mohammed Hajjy and Malta’s Josann Attard Pulis.

A record 3,600 participated in the marathon, half marathon and walkathon which were held on February 23.

Hajjy claimed his fourth successive win in the men’s race as the Italy-based runner completed the course in 2:18.26.

Attard Pulis topped the wo-men’s marathon in three hours and 20 seconds.

Attard Pulis, representing Starmax AC, was followed by Anne Bitrou Gaillard (3:14.27) and Karen Xerri (3:17.10).

In the half marathon, St Patrick’s runner Ibrahim Hussen took the title when dashing home in one hour 10 minutes and 24 seconds.

Mellieħa’s Rita Galea was the first Maltese female athlete home in the half when crossing the finish line in 1:27.21.

Online applications for participation in the 2015 Vodafone Malta Marathon will be open as from October 1.