Three runners from Morocco won the podium places in the 2015 Malta Marathon today.

It was possibly the closest finish ever with Muhammed Hajjy coming in first at 2.19.28 from Nasef Ahmed who was second on 2.19.29. Elfeche Abdel Hakim came third on 2.21.36.

It was the fifth Malta Marathon win for the Italy-based runner.

The first Maltese in was Andrew Grech whose time of 2.32.34 was good enough for eighth.

Samantha Woodward was the first woman to reach the finishing line while Malta’s Josanne Attard Pulis was second.

In the half marathon, Karol Grunenbelg, a German, was first on 1.09.53 followed by Gerry Pennington (1.11.57) and Pascale Valentin 1.14.52.

The first Maltese was Mark Herrera.

Pavlos Tsana Varos of Greece was the first woman in, followed by Simona Bacceti and Rita Galea on 1.26.08

A record of over 4,000 runners took part, including Opposition leader Simon Busuttil.

Inspire - The Foundation for Inclusion - will be the main beneficiary of the funds raised.

The 42.2km marathon and the 21km half marathon started outside Mdina and ended in Sliema.

For many of the participants the marathon wasa long-awaited event, the culmination of months of training.

For others it is an opportunity to raise awareness on particular themes. Picture right shows members of the cystic fibrosis group dressed as Disney figures.