PRESS RELEASE

 

TUESDAY 16^th NOVEMBER 2010

 

The 20^th edition of this world famous and unique, Malta Challenge Marathon is almost with us, just a week away. How twenty years have passed so quickly. In those twenty years, this event has encouraged 51 different countries and 4,171 participants 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 straying at the Dolmen Resort Hotel with their non running partners and the other 100 are Maltese, a modern time record. We are also very pleased to be under the Auspices of His Excellency George Abela, the President of Malta. Our President has given us a message and let’s not forget, he is a runner himself and also ran the full Malta “Challenge” Marathon twice, 1998, in a time of 3hrs 45’ 08” and in 1999, in a time of 3hrs 51’ 03”.

 

MALE COMPETITORS

Within the 150 runners, we have several previous winners, one no more important than Englishman, David Mansbridge who won the event 4 times, was 2^nd 6 times and 3^rd 4 times having run the “Challenge” a massive 14 times. His best time was in 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, should give Jonathan and Brian a good run for their money. Now we have our own Jonathan Balzan, 3 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 Zammitt, 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”. So we can see, with these three and other local top runners and some surprise overseas runners, we have a great race on our hands. UBET, take notice of 18 year old Simon Spiteri, he is my outside bet for a top 5 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 with last years winner, Marisa Muscat still recovering from injury and not running the “Challenge”, leaves room for our up and coming females. However, let’s look at the “hardy” and “experienced”, Carmen Hili, the only person to win the “Challenge” on 4 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, will 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 ‘1/2’ in a very handy 1hr 24’ 28”.

Convert that to a full marathon and we have a sub 2hrs 50’. Another female seems that marriage is good for her is Pauline Briffa nee’ Vella who did a useful 3hr 16’ 03” last year and should improve this year. So will Roger Zammitt 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, can not wait to find out?

 

LOCAL COUNCILS AND POLICE

We would like to pay a special thanks to the four Local Councils for their continued support, namely the Councils of Rabat, Birzebugga, St. Paul’s Bay and Valletta. These councils are very important to the success of the event as the three stages start and finish under these councils control. We also must not under estimate the importance; the dedication and respect the Police have for this event, in particular the Traffic Division and District Police.

 

SPONSORS

We would like to thank all the sponsors and contributors namely, main sponsor Hilly Clothing Company UK, The Dolmen Resort Hotel, General Soft Drinks for Kristal Water and Powerade, The Malta Tourist Authority, Nestle Fitness Malta Ltd., Kompakt Trading Ltd, Bacchus Restaurant, Diwan’s Indian Restaurant, La Sibylle Restaurant in the Dolmen Resort Hotel, Isabelle Mizzi Photography, Allfreight Ltd., Herbies Jewelers Ltd., Winning Ways UK, Wedding Bells in Malta, Custom Lab Ltd., Consolidated & Devon Biscuits and Twistees.

 

SCOUTS & HELPERS

Scouts groups of Hamrun Lyceum, Msida, Pembroke and Zebbug and all the friends and family of Barry and Isabelle Whitmore.

 

 

 

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Barry M. Whitmore, the Founder, President and Race Director

 

21^st edition date is: 25, 26 & 27 November 2011

22^nd edition date is: 23, 24 & 25 November 2012