There will be a very strong increase in the number of participants at this year’s Malta Marathon due to be held next Sunday.

The organizers have described the record number of entries for this year’s race as a tsunami after an increase of 57% for a total of around 2,200 participants. These are made up of 1,200 Maltese, up from last year by 60% and 950 foreigners, up by 35%.

This year we will be seeing the last survivor running all of the 26 Malta Marathons, this is Charles Darmanin. Charles Herd and Briton Paul Gardner, the other two athletes to have completed the first 25 Malta Marathons will however still compete in this year’s Land Rover Malta Half Marathon.

The Maltese taking part comprise nine females and 55 males running the full marathon and a further 525 females and 640 males participating in the half marathon or walkathon.

The number of British participants has soared to 369 retaining the lead for a second successive year as the nation with most foreign participants. The Germans remain in second place with 160 participants.

The country with the next biggest contingent is Italy with 71 participants followed by France with 59, Poland with 40, Spain with 36, Japan with 30 and Sweden with 29. The rest of the foreigners come from a variety of other countries, both within Europe and outside.

This 26th edition of the Malta Marathon again has Land Rover as its sponsor and this year’s event is known as “The 2011 Land Rover Malta Marathon”.

San Michel, Powerade, Urban Jungle and eworld are the partners for the event.

The increase of participants has gone up as follows: 400 in the Walkathon which was only introduced last year; 300 in the Half Marathon and 90 in the full marathon.

Maltese participation has also increased significantly from last year’s 700 to this year’s 1,250. The number of foreigners has gone up from last year’s 700 to this year’s 950. That brings the overall total to 2,200, compared to last year’s 1,425.

The organizers have announced that they are trying to secure the presence of a further three African athletes who are capable of running below 2.20.

Boguslaw Maminski

This year there are 40 Polish participants coming from two groups and a few individuals. Joining one of these groups and participating in the Half Marathon is Boguslaw Maminski, a former well known middle distance runner. Maminski can best be remembered for the silver medal that be won in the 1982 European Athletic Championships and again in the 1983 World Athletic Championships.

As in past recent years, the start and finish time of each athlete will be electronically registered as they cross the start and finish lines, the system will automatically work out their running time and position.

Routes unchanged

The routes for both the 2010 Land Rover Malta Marathon and Half Marathon will be the same as for 2010.

The Marathon will be over the classic distance of 42.2 km and will start at Mdina at 8am. The Walkathon will start at 9am and the Half Marathon will start at 10am.

The Sliema Ferries will be the venue for the finish of this popular event. The location attracts a vast number of spectators, who with their applause and cheering, help the participants get through their last paces of their feat. The location also allows the participants to run the last 5km on flat ground whilst admiring the picturesque creeks of the Grand Harbour

The first athlete to arrive at the finish is expected at about 10.15am, with the last ones coming in at about 1pm.

All finishers within the allowable time limit of each respective event, will be given a specially minted medal as they cross the finish line.

Fun Run

As in past years there will also be a 2 km Fun Run which starts from the Ferries at Sliema. Like last year, this year’s run is also open to parents rather than just children and should prove to be an enjoyable family activity. All finishers will receive a medal, refreshments and a goodie-bag.

The run will start at 9am and is being coordinated by the enterprising athletic club Pembroke Athleta (tel: 21433452). Those who have not yet registered may call to register or may do so on the day before the Fun Run. It is anticipated that as in previous years, about 400 children will take part in this run.

Registration

Registration (during which runners will receive their race number and chip) will take place in the Urban Jungle outlet in Tigne Street Sliema. Days and times for registration are the following:

Local runners: Wednesday 23 February 23 from 7pm to 9.30pm; Thursday 24 February from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Overseas runners: Thursday 24 February from 7pm to 9.30pm.; Saturday 26 February from 6pm to 9pm.