The 22nd running of the Pembroke Athleta Road Races, held under the auspices of Athletics Malta, will be held on March 31.
The club, which has recently expanded its services to triathlon sport, is confident of staging another successful edition of the races with the biggest participation again expected for the 10km run in the town and its vicinities.
“Most of the country’s established runners and several newcomers to the sport include this race in their schedule for the season,” club president Victor Camilleri said in a statement.
“Our town, particularly renowned for its multitude of sporting organisations and facilities connected with sport, has always welcomed and encouraged events that attract youngsters, all eager to expend their seemingly unlimited energies in activities that fire up their enthusiasm.
“The children that contribute to the success of the fun run in their hundreds, making it the most popular one-time event at any one venue in Malta, undoubtedly motivate our sponsors towards whom we remain indebted.”
Among those backing the racing series and walkathon this week are the Pembroke and Swieqi local councils, Attrans, Eurosport and Kyocera Mita Copiers.
“There are other smaller sponsors to whom the club extends its warm gratitude,” Camilleri added.
As is now the custom, the day’s races start off with the 5km run followed by 10km challenge and the 7km walkathon.
There will also be a race for young teens that covers a three-kilometre route.
Pembroke Athleta’s top runners, Mark Herrera, Brian Magri, Richard Chetcuti, Luke Micallef and Drew Lang, who contributed to the club winning the MAAA Road League for the second year in succession, will all be on the start line along with Lisa Marie Bezzina who led her team-mates to the MAAA road relay title in January.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the fun run will cover 1,200 metres and on March 31 the first in the series gets underway at 10.30am.
“From the entry received so far it is clear that the overall 900 registrations accepted in 2015 will be surpassed this year,” Camilleri noted.
“The reputation we earned for a ‘safety-first’ environment will again be enhanced by the presence of local wardens, Traffic Police and the medical staff from the Red Cross organisation.
“All this will be complemented by the invaluable assistance given by other helpers, most of whom will act as race marshals.”