Bright prospects for marathon

The number of runners in this year's Malta Marathon is set to be the second-best ever in the 18-year history of the race which has a new sponsorship, that of German carmaker BMW.

Race organisers have long established their goal of reaching the 1,000-mark one day. However, their hopes took a nosedive with the September,11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US.

That mishap somewhat halted the upward trend after the remarkable 800 mark reached in 2000. Last year, there were 70 runners less on the line but, until yesterday, there was already an entry list of 700 and the numbers were still increasing.

During yesterday's 2003 BMW Malta Marathon launching in Sliema, Race Director Joe Micallef said the organisers' main concept has always been to attract more athletes to the event and promote it outside our shores. In 1985, 60 Maltese took part. This year, he said, 300 locals have already applied.

"The number of Maltese runners has been steadily growing," he said.

"Over 300 have already registered for this year's races and the committee is still receiving entries. Our races have certainly become the focal point of the year for the large community of distance runners."

Muscats Motors general manager Henry Scicluna said his firm showed no hesitation in sponsoring the Malta Marathon. A three-year deal with the organisers has already been signed.

"The people behind this race are truly professional. This is our first big experience in such sponsorships in Malta but we know we are dealing with the right persons here," he said.

"We are satisfied with this agreement and now we are duty bound to help the organisers attract even bigger numbers. We also intend to promote the Malta Marathon among our employees abroad next year."

A Williams-BMW Formula One racer will be on show at the finishing line in Sliema on race day (Feb. 23).

Meanwhile, this year the organising committee is planning a new event which is specifically aimed at teams from gyms and health centres.

"There was a modest response so far," Mr Micallef said. "However, we are optimistic that next year there will be more teams involved if we intensify our promotion."

2002 marathon winner AbdelKebir Marchane, of Morocco, has shown a keen interest in coming back while Charles Cilia and Carol Galea should start among the favourites in the half-marathon.

Foreign participation appears to be very encouraging and should surpass the number of last year. Most of them hail from Germany but there are sizeable numbers from the UK and France.

"We have appointed various travel agencies to promote our race but the presence of foreign runners is made possible thanks mainly to the help from the Malta Tourism Authority," Mr Micallef said.

He confirmed that San Michel, Gatorade, Urban Jungle and Air Malta were the other official partners, apart from main sponsors BMW.

There will be assistance from various scout groups, the Police Force, the Armed Forces, St John Ambulance, Malta Red Cross Society and the Ladies Running Club.

Last year's routes were retained with the start and finishing lines at Rabat and Sliema respectively.

Marathon (42.195km) - Saqqajja, Roman Villa, Mtarfa Bypass, Mosta-Mgarr crossroads, Mosta Square, Valletta Road, St Catherine's Hospital, Ta' Qali runway, Mdina Road (past Zebbug and through Qormi), Turkish Cemetery, December 13, Blata l-Bajda, Msida, Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, Sliema.

Half-marathon (21.97km) - Saqqajja, Rabat (Nigret), Mtarfa Bypass, Mdina Road roundabout, Mdina Road (past Zebbug and through Qormi), Turkish Cemetery, December 13, Blata l-Bajda, Msida, Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, Sliema.

Registration, at the Galaxy Hotel - (local runners) next Saturday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Foreigners) Friday, Feb. 21 between 6 and 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 22 between 4 and 7 p.m.