Athletics: 20th Malta Challenge Marathon Next weekend

Malta Independent Thursday, 18 November 2010, 00:00 Last update: about 12 years ago

The 20th edition of the Malta Challenge Marathon is almost with us, just a week away. How 20 years have passed so quickly! In those 20 years, this event has encouraged 4,171 participants from 51 different countries to run in Malta!

The Race Director, Barry M. Whitmore has also commissioned a very special medal and T shirt for this “very special” occasion. The limit set for this year’s entry has also been reached and from the 150 participants, 50 are from overseas and will all be staying at the Dolmen Resort Hotel with their non-running partners and the other 100 are Maltese, a modern time record.

The organisers are also very pleased to have the race under the auspices of His Excellency Dr George Abela, the President of Malta. Let us not forget, he is a runner himself and also ran the full Malta Challenge Marathon twice, in 1998, in a time of 3hrs 45. 08” and in 1999, in a time of 3hrs 51. 03”.

Male competitors

Within the 150 runners, there are several previous winners, among them Englishman David Mansbridge who won the event four times, was second six times and third four times having run the “Challenge” a massive 14 times. His best time was in the year 2000 with 2hrs 22.42”,.He is currently 46 but still running well and posted a recent 6km time of 19. 58”, a 10km of 33. 56” and a 10 mile time of 55. 31”.

So on this 2010 form, he should give Jonathan and Brian a good run for their money.

Now we have our own Jonathan Balzan, three time winner in 2005, 2008 and 2009 with a best Challenge time in 2009 with 2hrs 26. 08”.

Also, Jonathan is in great form and has recently won a local ½ marathon in a time of 1hr 12. 42” and according to his coach, Roger Zammit, he is at his very best.

Previous 2007 winner, Brian Magri is also in fair form and when he won the Challenge he posted a time of 2hrs 29. 19”.

With these three and other local top runners and some surprise overseas runners, there should be a great race on our hands.

Eighteen year old Simon Spiteri should be considered as a strong outsider for a top five position and could be the new long distance male blood of Malta.

Female competitors

Well, probably far more difficult to forecast. Carol Walsh, winner in 1992, 2006, 2007 and 2008 has all but retired from competitive racing.

Also, the fact that last year’s winner Marisa Muscat is still recovering from injury and not running the Challenge, leaves room for our up and coming females.

However, the hardy and experienced, Carmen Hili, is the only person to win the Challenge on four consecutive years. She won in 2002, 2003, 2004 and again in 2005.

Her best time was 2hrs 56. 27” in 2004 and from first hand confirmed reports, she is gradually returning to full fitness. So with her experience, she will definitely be the one to beat.

Her local competitor will defiantly come from the young 23 year old and up coming Joelle Cortis, also coached by Roger. She has been winning a few local races lately and also competed in the Lisbon ½ marathon in a very handy 1hr 24. 28”.

Convert that to a full marathon and we have a sub 2hrs 50.

Another female expected to do well is Pauline Briffa nee Vella who did a useful 3hr 16. 03” last year and should improve this year.

So will Roger Zammit get a second double winner? Last year it was Jonathan and Marisa.

Will it be Jonathan and Joelle or will David and Brian and Carmen and Pauline object to that?

Local Councils and Police

The organisers have thanked four Local Councils for their continued support, namely those of Rabat, Birzebbuga, St. Paul’s Bay and Valletta.

These councils’ contribution is very important to organise a successful event as the three stages’ start and finish are under these councils’ control.

Thanks have also gone to the Police, in particular the Traffic Division and District Police, who always keep a watchful eye on the proceedings.