Updated 11.16am

Mohammed Hajjy is the winner of the 2017 Malta Marathon, the biggest since its inception. 

The Moroccan runner made up for last year's disappointment of finishing fourth when he crossed the finish line in a time of two hours 21 minutes and six seconds.

Hajjy's time was well short of his own Malta Marathon record he had set in 2013 when clocking a time of 2:16.06.

Andrew Grech was the first Maltese runner home in 2:28.17

A record of some 4,400 participants took part, including many foreigners.

The run was held under a blazing sun and a slight breeze. For some, the temperature was too high, and a number of runners were seen giving up or collapsing.

This runner collapsed close to the finish line.

The runners of the full marathon left shortly after 7.30am from Rabat, with those taking part in the half-marathon departing at 9.30am. The finish line was in Sliema.  

Many of the participants were athletes, but the majority were trying a new experience.

Some had a great personal story. Read about an 80-year-old marathon participant: 'I survived three cancers... I must keep fighting' here.

A crowd cheers at the finish line

The winners

The winners today were: Full (Men): Mohammed Hajjy, Yassine Kabbouri and Dmitris Serjogins; Jonathan Balzan behind Andrew Grech as 2nd Maltese.

Full (Women): Josann Attard Pulis at 2.58.13 winner and first Maltese, Catherine Chetcuti and Jana Ba followed.

Half (Men): Micrezko Maciek of Poland at 1.09.28 winner with Pasquale Ruttigliano and Luigi Spinali behind, Stephen Borg first Maltese at 6th with 1.14.28.

Half (Women): Lisa Marie Bezzina winner at 1.22.06.

Giving a helping hand.