Car manufacturer Land Rover were yesterday unveiled as the new official sponsors of the annual Malta Marathon for the next five years. The announcement was made by the Malta Marathon Organising Committee during a news conference at the showroom of Muscat Motors Ltd in Gżira.
"Since its beginning 23 years ago, the Malta Marathon has always been sponsored by prestigious brands and I would like to take the opportunity to thank Muscat Motors and BMW for their support in the last six years," Joe Micallef, chairman of the Malta Marathon Organising Committee (MMOC) said.
"The MMOC are very pleased to be associated with Land Rover, a world leading name in the automotive sector. Land Rover and Muscat Motors are enthusiastic about supporting this local sporting event and are committed to help make this already popular event, bigger with standards that really 'Go Beyond', as the Land Rover slogan states."
The 2009 Land Rover Malta Marathon and Half Marathon will be held on March 1.
The Malta Marathon is now firmly established as one of the country's most popular international sporting events. Starting off with 109 participants in 1986, this year's edition surpassed a milestone when the field of participants soared to more than 1,000, with almost 700 of these being foreigners.
The MMOC and the Malta Tourism Authority have stepped up their drive to further increase the number of participants, promoting it as an annual international event.
Micallef said that various initiatives introduced over the years by the MMOC, such as Electronic Chip timing, bands along the route and elite international athletes, will be retained. The MMOC will also continue to strive to raise the standard of the event.
"The MMOC's main effort will be to reduce the traffic congestion along the route, through greater collaboration with the Malta Police and a possible change in the routes of both the Full Marathon and Half Marathon," Micallef said.
For the first time, an online registration will also be available through the Land Rover Malta Marathon website. Athletes, whether having registered on-line or by standard mail, will be able to check if they have been accepted for their chosen event from the website.
Powerade, Urban Jungle and San Michel will continue to support the Land Rover Malta Marathon.