If it's Christmas, it must be Mdina-Spinola race

I can always tell when it is close to Christmas; I start seeing strange groups of runners training along the road from Mdina down to Sliema.

Yes folks, it's time for the annual Mdina-Spinola race, one week from tomorrow (December 21).

Since it's been around from the late 1970s, this race, now sponsored by Urban Jungle, can rightly claim to be Malta's 'traditional' pre-Xmas road race. It is held on the last Sunday before Christmas (although this was changed one year when the last pre-Xmas Sunday was on December 24) and is the supreme test of pre-Malta Marathon fitness. The race is organised by the Malta Marathon Organising Committee.

As always, crossing the finish-line in one hour is considered one of the ultimate benchmarks of road racing achievement. For female athletes, running under 65 minutes is itself a serious target and has been achieved by only three Maltese runners (although one of them has also run under one hour).

For many of us, ducking under 70 minutes, 75 minutes, or even 80 and 90 minutes for the first time can have a great deal of significance.

Having said that, all runners should beware an over-impetuous start.

Not only because it will lead to many slower miles later on, but because the pounding down Saqqajja Hill will also lead to extremely painful thigh muscles in the days that follow. Although many runners hope for good weather (meaning, with little wind), experience has shown that the fastest times are not set on calm days, but when there is a strong majjistral tailwind.

Although this will prove to be in the face of the runners for short stretches near Msida roundabout, and in the final miles after the Fortizza, these minor periods of headwind do not outweigh or undo the advantage of a great many miles downhill with the wind at your back.

On the other hand when the wind is from the south, the finishing times are usually all much slower.

Soon after the race and at the finish line at approximately 10 a.m., there will be a small award ceremony with trophies for the first five males and females including Urban Jungle vouchers for the first three Maltese men and women overall.

There will also be awards for the first finisher in each age-group and all finishers will receive a newly-designed Urban Jungle Mdina-Spinola medal on crossing the finish-line.

The ultimate low-key event, news of the upcoming Mdina race tends to spread by word of mouth and gets little advertising. Surprisingly, there can often by well over 150 local runners taking part.

The race begins at Mdina gate at 8 a.m. and race registration opens in the nearby car park an hour before. The entry fee is great value at only Lm2.

For those first-timers, seasoned Mdina participants usually arrange transport in groups and meet and leave their cars at Spinola at 5.30-6 a.m., driving up to Mdina either in a pre-booked mini-bus or in one of the vehicles.