Thursday 28 March 2024

Everything you need to know about the Vodafone Malta Marathon

The Malta Marathon this year is being brought to you by Vodafone as the main sponsor of the event hence the Vodafone Malta Marathon.  The sponsoring of such an event is a milestone in itself for Vodafone Malta.  Indeed it is a ‘first’ for us and testimony to our firm belief in the values of achievement and success.  This is the embodiment of the Marathon.  Thousands from all walks of life and all ages making it to the finish line in an act of personal achievement, many doing it for a good cause.  The official charity this year is Inspire.  Runners are being urged to collect money for this charity thus adding even more value to their feat.

Any event of this size is complex in its organisation and logistical set up.  It takes months to organise the event which would not be possible without the hundreds of people that work toward its success.  This also includes a number of Official Partners which are San Michel, Powerade, Urban Jungle and The Villa.

The event is a national sporting celebration with as much activity along the route as on the route.  25 Bands will be lining the route as will the various voluntary organisations that have become a mainstay of each marathon.  The feeling of any marathon is electric.  It’s a family day out and a time for coming together to celebrate the strength of the human spirit.  The finish line is particularly exciting.  Once again there will be a large crowd cheering on the 3,600 which will cross the finish line – some in better shape than others but crossing anyway.  This is the beauty of the marathon, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to cross the finish line.  The thrill of crossing is unparalleled and as emotional for those who watch it happen.

The Vodafone Malta Marathon will once again go viral this year.  Each participant can enjoy the benefits of technology whilst running.  At each step of the way our photographers are at hand and any photos taken of participants can be automatically uploaded to their Facebook page in real time.  Following the marathon has never been such fun.  Monitor your husband, your girlfriend, your dad or friend at each step of the way and keep it for posterity.

Overall, the Marathon is set to be a very special event.  Whether you choose to follow it along the route, or at the finish line or on Facebook you will no doubt feel a part of this annual event. 

Fact and Figures

 

Main Sponsor Vodafone Malta
Official Partners San Michel, Powerade, Urban Jungle, The Villa
Official Charity Inspire Foundation
Voluntary Organisations involved Attard Scouts, St Aloysius Scouts, B’Kara Scouts, Hamrun Scouts, Lyceum Scouts, Mosta Scouts, Marsa Scouts, Sliema Scouts, Stella Maris Scouts, St. Venera Scouts, Zebbug Scouts and Inspire Foundation provide marshals and man the San Michel, Powerade and Sponge Stations.

 

First Aid St John’s Ambulance and Malta Red Cross Society
Registration Ladies Running Club
Social Media Facebook.  Participants must register their bib number at www.vodafone.com.mt/maltamarathon. The barcode on each bib will automatically allow for the participants photos to be uploaded on their facebook page thus creating an album of their race from start to finish.

 

Participants 3,600 (1,500 foreign nationals)
Full Marathon 600
Half Marathon 2,100
Walkathon 900
List of best attended races in Malta 1)      MaltaMarathon

2)      Urban Jungle Mdina  Spinola Xmas Road Race (700 participants)

Maltese Participants Full Marathon

13 females

79 males

 

Half Marathon & Walkathon

942 females

1,101 males

 

Foreign Participants UK – 501

Germany – 201

Italy – 195

France – 99

USA – 35

Japan – 34

Others

Most dedicated Malta Marathon Runner Charles Darmanin – the only participant that completed all 28 Malta Marathons.  This will be his 29th
Marathon Favourites Mohammed Hajjy (Morocco) – 3 time winner

Abdelekrim Kabbouri (Morocco) – twice 2nd and once 3rd

Yassine Kabbouri (Morocco) – running his first Malta marathon

Maltese favourites Jonathan Balzan – holds the National Best for the Marathon (finished 4th last year)

Andre Grech – finished 5th last year.

Awards Trophies and commemorative medals will be given out as well as prize money for those who clock the best times in the Marathon.

 

Commemorative medals have been designed by Charles Cassar, artist.

Chip timing Each athlete will be wearing a chip which will automatically work out the time they leave the starting line and cross the finish line and hence determine position and timing.  Athletes are asked to hand over their chip at the finish line or to a marathon official if for some reason they do not finish the race.  The chips are non-transferrable.
Safety and Ethics Bikes, pets and children are not allowed to participate due to safety concerns.  Such participation may lead to disqualification.
Start of the Marathon Full Marathon (42.2 Km) Mdina at 0830hrs

Half Marathon and Walkathon – 0920hrs

 

Walkathon participants will line up behind the Marathon runners

Finish line Sliema Strand

Expected time of arrival of first participant – 1015hrs

Expected time of arrival of last participant – 1300hrs

Route After leaving Rabat, the Marathon will pass by Mtarfa, Ta’ Qali, Attard, Mosta, back through Ta’ Qali and Attard, Mriehel by-pass, Qormi, Marsa, Blata L’Bajda, Floriana, Pieta, Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema.

The Half Marathon and Walkathon will exit Rabat earlier and will follow the same route but skip the Ta’ Qali, Attard, Mosta, Ta’ Qali loop.

 

En Route 25 bands will be performing on the route
Traffic Control and Road closures Main areas to avoid due to closure of roads and deviation of traffic for the 2014 Vodafone Malta Marathon.

 

Ta’ Qali and all surrounding roads          0830 to 1115

Marsa to Blata Bajda                                1000 to 1300

Attard                                                       0900 to 1130

Hamrun to Blata Bajda                             1000 to 1300

Mriehel By-pass to Marsa                         0930 to 1230

Pieta, Msida, Gzira & Sliema waterfronts                            1000 to 1330

 

Fun Run 2Km fun run starting at the Ferries in Sliema organised by Athletic Club Pembroke Athleta (21433452) starting at 0900hrs.  Children and parents are encouraged to participate.  Last year 500 children participated.  All those who cross the finish line will receive a medal, refreshments and a goodie bag.
MTA Assistance The presence of many foreign runners is made possible thanks to the promotional work done by the Malta Tourism Authority and the continued support it gives the Malta Marathon. The Malta Marathon Organising Committee would also like to specially thank the Honourable Minister for Tourism for his continued support.

 

 

 

Maltese and Foreign participation over recent years:

 

Year    Maltese          Foreigners     Total

1994    194                  389                  583

1995    277                  473                  750

1996    239                  424                  663

1997    288                  374                  662

1998    302                  402                  704

1999    282                  433                  715

2000    316                  496                  812

2001    344                  523                  867

2002    327                  389                  716

2003    359                  374                  733

2004    439                  305                  744

2005    394                  307                  701

2006    398                  381                  779

2007    483                  399                  882

2008    407                  691                  1098

2009    490                  547                  1037

2010    774                  725                  1499

2011    1233                962                  2195

2012    1543                1014                2557

2013    1980                1236                3216

2014    2150                1550                3600

 

Powered by