The popularity of the Vodafone Malta Marathon continues to grow as the 2015 edition has again attracted a record turnout with over 4,000 runners registering to take part in this year’s race, to be held on February 22.

This is the fifth successive year that the Malta Marathon has seen a significant rise in entries.

“We are really proud to announce that, for the 30th edition of the Malta Marathon, we have managed to surpass the 4,000-mark,” Joe Micallef, chairman of the Malta Marathon Organising Committee, told a news conference at the Le Meridien Hotel, St Julians.

“The number of Maltese runners has remained stable at 2,300, approximately, but the number of foreign entries has increased by 312 for a total of 1,900.

“Britain remains our biggest market with a record 612 participants for this year’s race. We have also registered an increase in the number of runners from Italy, who total 299, while Germany will be represented by 229.”

Moroccan runner Mohammed Hajjy, winner of the full marathon for the last four years, is set to defend his title.

Malta’s hopes in the men’s race will again rest on veteran Jonathan Balzan and challenger Andrew Grech, who are again expected to battle it out for the mantle of the first Maltese runner at the finish line.

In the women’s race, Josann Attard Pulis will go all out to retain her title after her surprising victory last year when she finished ahead of Anne Bitrou Gaillard, of France, and Karen Xerri.

Micallef said the routes of the marathon, half marathon and walkathon are unchanged from last year.

The full marathon gets underway at 7.30am from Mdina Gate, half-an-hour earlier than usual.

“The main reason for the time change is that we recognise the traffic problems this event might cause on the day and thus, we have decided to bring forward the start of the race so that all major road arteries will return to normality earlier than in previous years,” Micallef explained.

Timing chips

The half marathon and walkathon will start at 9.45am with the finish line again set at the Ferries in Sliema where a marathon village is expected to be set up by sponsors Vodafone.

For the eighth year in a row, the organisers will provide athletes with timing chips to record their times and positions.

“A novelty this year is that all timing chips are disposable, meaning that they will not have to be collected at the finish line,” Micallef said.

“I would like to stress that applicants are not allowed to give their number and timing chip to someone else as this could influence the results of other participants and may deprive them of winning an award.”

All finishers within the established time-limit in each of the three events will be given a specially-minted medal as they cross the finish line.

This year’s medal has been designed by Robert Cassar, the son of the late Charles Cassar who had created a number of MMOC medals in the past.

As last year, a 2km Nesquik fun run will be organised along the Sliema Strand, starting at 9am.

“The race is open to parents as well as children and I have no doubt that it will turn out to be an enjoyable activity with all participants receiving a commemorative medal, refreshments and a goodie bag,” Micallef said.

Vodafone have been confirmed as main sponsors of the Malta Marathon for the second year running.

“This is the second year that we are sponsoring the Malta Marathon,” Tara Lyn Zammit, representing Vodafone, said.

“Following last year’s success, we at Vodafone have been eagerly awaiting this year’s events. We have been working with the organisers to ensure that the 2015 race will also be a memorable one.

“At Vodafone, we believe in the power of the individual and the determination to achieve any personal goal he or she aspires to.

“It’s all about helping people reach their very best.

“Our sponsorship of the Malta Marathon is based very much on this principle, since this event represents a lifelong goal for so many people who train every day to achieve it.”

San Michel, Powerade, Urban Jungle and Nestlé Fitness are the official partners of the race.

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