A record of over 2,500 athletes are expected to take part in tomorrow’s Malta marathon.

The event consists of three races - the Full Marathon, the Half Marathon and the Walkathon. But there will also be a 2km Fun Run along the Gzira-Sliema seafront for children and parents.

This year’s Land Rover Malta Marathon is being dedicated to John Walsh, one of the co-founders of the Malta Marathon. John remained an active member of the Malta Marathon Organising Committee until his untimely death.

All three events have a record number of entries, with all available places being taken up. There are 400 entries for the Full, 1,400 entries for the Half and 700 entries for the Walk.

There are three African athletes taking part. Morrocans Hajjy Mohamed and Kabbouri Abdelekrim, winner and runner-up respectively in the 2011 Land Rover Malta Marathon are returning and will be joined by Kenyan Sammy Kipkemboi Kiprotich.

All three athletes have run sub 2:20 Marathons. There will be at least two other participants who have run sub 2:25. Everything points to what could be the fastest marathon on our records, given ideal conditions on the day.

Johnathan Balzan who holds the National Best for the marathon, will be the Maltese front runner and favourite in the marathon.

Besides the usual trophies and awards being given to both the Marathon and Half Marathon, prize money is once again being given to the faster marathon runners. The amount is based on their finishing times.

Carol Walsh, wife of the late John Walsh and winner of new fewer than 15 Malta Half Marathon titles will be taking part in the Half Marathon.

There has been a slight change to the 2011 route. This change affects both the Marathon and Half Marathon in the same way. The routes will no longer pass from the narrow and rough lane in Nigret. Instead of turning left towards the lane, the route turns right towards the Mtarfa by-pass. The route still turns left into Triq Ghajn Kajjiet from Vjal il-Helsien before taking the right turn.

The reduced distance is made up later on by a detour through the core of Attard. The routes will no longer pass through Triq Nutar Zarb (so no worries of going too fast past the speed camera) but will pass through Triq Il-Kbira, Triq B’kara, Triq Karm Debono and Triq Il-Belt Valletta to end up in Triq Valletta near the Attard cemetery.

The 2012 Land Rover Malta Marathon will be over the classic distance of 42.2 km and will start at Mdina at 8am. The Walkathon will start at 8.30am and the Half Marathon will start at 10am.

The Sliema Ferries has again been selected as 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

There will also be a record number of Maltese participants, with 14 females and 61 males running the full marathon and a further 656 females and 784 males participating in the half marathon or walkathon.

The foreign participants include runners from Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and America, among others.

No time and effort has been spared with Transport Malta, Arriva and the Police to ensure that participants can run safely with the least inconvenience to motorists and Arriva passengers. The organisers regret any inconvenience that may occur today, despite their efforts.

The Police Force and Local Wardens will be controlling traffic in various streets and roads along the Marathon and Half Marathon Routes. The public is invited to co-operate with directions given by them