The 21st edition of the Malta Marathon is to be held on Sunday 5 March. For the fourth year running, BMW is sponsoring this international event.
Other Official Suppliers are San Michel, Powerade, Urban Jungle and Air Malta.
The Marathon will be over the classic distance of 42.195 km (26.2 miles) and will start at Mdina at 8am. On the same day the Organising Committee will also organise a Half Marathon (distance 21.097 km, 13.1 miles), which will also start from Mdina, but at 10am.
Well over 700 athletes, among them 360 locals, are expected to take part in the event.
Defending champion Abdel Kebir Marchane will return to defend his Full Marathon titles, which he won in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005, in the latter year he also established the Malta Marathon record, finishing in 2.19.08.
Maltese top distance runner, John Buhagiar is also taking part in the Full Marathon. John has had several successes in the Malta Marathon coming 3rd in 1999, 1st in 2000 and 2nd in 2003. Carmen Hili, 3rd in 2002, 2nd in 2003, 1st in 2004 and 2nd again in 2005 has also confirmed her participation.
In the Half Marathon there are several local and foreign athletes who will be battling it out for the top places. Charles Cilia winner of the 2005 BMW Malta Half Marathon and third placed Mark Herrera will be two of these athletes, Jonathan Balzan who placed second last year will be missing this year due to injury.
Carol Walsh, winner of the Malta Half Marathon on several occasions will not be competing as she will be away from the island. Cecila Fenech winner of the 2005 BMW Malta Marathon shall this year be competing in the Half Marathon, Lisa Bezzina will be her main challenger.
As in past years, most foreign runners in the two events are from Germany but there is also a sizeable number from Britain and groups from other countries such as Holland, Italy, Japan, France and Austria. There are a number of other individuals coming from other various countries. The total number of foreign runners is expected to be the region of about 370. In 2005 there were a total of 307 foreign athletes.
In total there shouldl be about 180 participants for the Full Marathon and 530 in the Half Marathon.
The Police Force will be providing considerable assistance by controlling traffic along the route. The public is invited to co-operate with directions given by the Police and are also asked to avoid roads that are being used as part of the route.
The Armed Forces of Malta will also be providing vital assistance. Members of the Armed Forces will be manning a number of Water Stations and the presence of their trained personnel contributes in no small way to the success of the event.