Flags don’t normally feature in an athletes travel bag but as a group of local athletes head for the 23rd edition of the Palermo Full and Half Marathons, some enterprising individual will undoubtedly ensure that the Maltese colours are included.

Someone did two years ago and it came in handy as Jonathan Balzan won that year’s edition of THE half marathon in a time of 1 hour 12 minutes and 13 seconds. Balzan will once again form part of the group of athletes, largely made up of members from within his own club St. Patrick’s AC, even though this time he will be competing in the full marathon along with Mario Pisani who also did well two years ago when he finished sixth.

The group will be staying at Citta’ del Mare leaving on 12 October and returning on 14 October soon after the marathon finishes. Besides the half and full, a Supermarathon of 50km will be taking place, all starting at the same time from Mondello at 9am.

Before they can focus on that trip, however, most of the athletes will be taking part in the Gudja Ronhill 8km race that is also organised by St. Patrick’s AC on Sunday. In fact, Balzan will start as one of the favourites to win the race that last year saw Drew Lang coming out on top.

In the meantime, St. Patrick’s AC are planning a trip to the Paris Marathon in April 2008. Anyone interested in joining the party can contact the club by phoning on 99887807 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].