Thomas Smith Group, in line with its corporate social responsibility programme to promote healthy living habits, is once again supporting The Grid, a local obstacle race which has gained considerable interest since its first run in May 2016.

A second event was held earlier this year, attracting 800 entries. The Grid organisers have now added a shorter obstacle race to their series – The Grid Sprint. The group has supported the past two races and is happy to be backing up the event for this October’s sprint.

Maersk Line containers featured as giant obstacles in the past two races, and will once again be a highlight at the upcoming event.

The Grid Sprint will be held on October 14 at the Golden Bay and Riviera grounds, involving a six-kilometre course including obstacles such as hurdles, mud pits, rope climbs and sand crawls. Competitors taking part in the elite wave will this time be followed by a drone throughout the whole course, and streamed live.

The event has attracted over 830 participants, exceeding a 400 entry target. Most contestants are naturally Maltese. However, participation has enticed over 200 international registrants from the UK, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Spain and France, as well as from the US, South Africa, Australia, Jamaica, Venezuela and even New Zealand.

“When Thomas Smith Group sponsored the first event organised by The Grid in 2016, it had hoped the event would be such a success that it would become an annual one. The event has now reached a level of participation and interest that it has marked Malta’s annual calendar of events. We are thrilled with its evolution and we hope it continues to develop into a high-profile sport event, drawing an international spotlight onto Malta,” said Mr Gerada, managing director at Thomas Smith.

“The event is great fun and instils elements of personal development and team building – besides the obvious adrenaline rush.”