The 2011 Malta marathon will be remembered by those who took part for the severe conditions in which they had to take part ranging from strong and cold winds, the usual hills and the large amounts of water – at times allegedly one foot deep (at Ta’ Qali) – which slowed them down considerably.

Despite everything, two Moroccans dominated the scene. Mohammed Hajji dominated from start to finish emerging winner in a time of 2 hours 19 minutes and 35 seconds. His compatriot Abdelekrin Kabbouri, followed him in 2:23.33.

Jonathan Balzan was the first Maltese runner home in the full marathon, while Joelle Cortis was the first Maltese woman in. Helen Taranowski of England won the women’s marathon in a time of two hours 54 minutes and 54 seconds.

Ireland’s Lorraine Manning dominated the women’s half marathon. She finished ahead of Emma Dalton and Estonia’s Aniha Rimach in second and third place respectively. Here, Lisa Marie Bezzina was fourth overall and Maltese first woman home in an unofficial time of one hour and 24 minutes.

The event, as already described above, was characterised by the strong and cold winds blowing from the north and the large puddles of water after the heavy rainfall the day before.

Some of the runners complained that they were slowed down considerably having to go through those puddles suffering some damage to their muscles in the process which hampered their strong running. Even at The Ferries in Sliema, the rough seas even came onshore as waves pounded the front and the water spilled onto the road, direct in the path of the runners.

It was a generally tough run which started at Mdina at 8am (the half marathon started at 10am).

Hajji, 32, said after his victory that he was very happy but disappointed that he could not clock a better time because of the conditions. The Moroccan, who has been residing in Varese, Italy, for the last 13 years, added: “It was a hard race. It was not only the hills, but also the wind and the fact that I had to run most of the race alone without any motivation proved to be obstacles. I came here in the hope of making it in 2:14 or even 2:13, but my hopes were dashed. However, I am very happy and want to thank everyone for the great hospitality.”

Hajji’s best time for a marathon was a 2 hours 13 minutes in Marrakesh, Morocco. He also had a 2:16 three Sundays ago and a 1:02.33 in the Dordrecht half marathon.

Balzan was almost ecstatic about his placing – a creditable third and first Maltese overall.

He added: “I am very happy but obviously disappointed as this is not my best time. The wind played a great role in this race. The water at Ta’ Qali was another big obstacle. I consider my placing good also because I ran alone in that position for most of the race – there was no one else to push me. Now I’m looking forward to take part in November’s marathon in Athens, Greece – the reward for being first Maltese in. But I will also be doing my best to qualify to represent Malta in the 10,000m in the forthcoming Games for European Small Nations in June.”

Helen Taranowski, the women’s race winner said she did not mind the problems, including that of the water. “I am happy to have won even if it is not my personal best. I think it was the injury in the closing stages which impeded me from bettering my time as it slowed me down considerably,” she said.

Joelle Cortis was first woman in among the Maltese runners. The St Patrick runner was elated with her performance and result. The beaming Joelle said: “This was an experiment for me as it was my first full marathon. We faced several problems, even having to go through a boundary wall to avoid the waters at Ta’ Qali. Usually I take part in the Half Marathon, but today I have learned that I have a lot of work to do to continue my improvement. Whether I take part again in the full marathon next year is still a question mark.”

For Half Marathon winner James Douglas, it was a third win. “I trained well and when I was almost half way through, I thought I would be able to get a Personal Best. However, this was not to be. Hopefully I will be back next year for another attempt,” he said.

Gerald Grech, second overall and first Maltese home in the Half Marathon, said they lost a lot of time because of the water on the roads. “This is my best overall position in such top events. Before, my best had been a seventh place in 2007 and 2008. I am very happy as this was a very useful exercise for the forthcoming Games for European Small States in Liechtenstein where I hope to qualify to take part in the 5,000m. I had high hopes of finishing in the Top Five, but never expected to finish second. It is a dream come true. It was fantastic all the way,” he added.

Lisa Marie Bezzina, first Maltese home in the women’s half marathon, said it was a tough competition. She added: “The levels were high this year, but I am very happy with the 1.24 I clocked and the fourth placing overall. Now I will turn my concentration on the Small Nations Games where I hope to run the 5,000km and 10,000km if I qualify.”