Joanna Booth dons her trainers for Malta’s marathon and discovers the destination’s other activity options.
Click here to download and save as a PDF.
I can’t be sure, but I think the guy who overtook me uphill on the Mriehel Bypass was in his 70s. What makes this particularly unusual is that we were both on foot.
It was around seven miles in to the Malta Half Marathon, and while I’d been prepared to see plenty of older British tourists on the island, I hadn’t really expected them to be bounding ahead of me during the race.
Once, those who came to Malta from the UK in winter were looking for relaxation. Low-season prices brought the over-60s flocking to spend weeks sitting in the balmy winter sunshine.
Now, that bright, fresh weather is still appealing, but to a different, more active type of visitor. Hiking, biking and diving bring tourists of all ages to this action station in the Mediterranean, while for one Sunday each spring – in 2019, it’s February 24 – Malta becomes one big racetrack.
On the right course
The Malta Marathon has been running – pun intended – since 1986. From just over 100 participants in that first year it has grown significantly, with more than 4,400 runners taking part this year across the full and half‑marathon distances.
And if you think no one would be mad enough to fly to a different country to go running, think again. Over 2,900 of the competitors came from abroad, with more than 800 from the UK. (Some are even from Malta’s traditional age bracket, with the oldest participant in the full marathon a 76-year-old British man.)
It shouldn’t come as a surprise. In England, more than two million of us run at least once a week, and record numbers apply for big-ticket races such as the London Marathon. When it’s cold and gloomy in the UK, it makes sense to throw your trainers in a bag and escape to a place where the temperatures are in the mid-teens.
“There’s a slightly suburban section in the middle, but the majority of the run feels like an alternative way to sightsee, with some beautiful views.”
The Malta Marathon is an excellent choice for UK runners for a number of reasons. Short, regular flights from a range of regional airports mean a trip to run the race and do a spot of sightseeing or celebrating can easily be fitted in to a long weekend.
The course is predominantly downhill or flat, making it a gentle introduction for those new to running and a potential PB (running parlance for ‘personal best’) opportunity for the more experienced.
It’s a scenic run too, which is important when you consider runners may be out there for anything from one and a half to six hours, depending on the distance they run and their speed.
The course starts just outside the walls of Mdina and plunges through the countryside towards the coast – the marathon taking a more circuitous route than the half – and then snakes around the walls of Valletta before tracing the shore north to its finish at Sliema Ferry. There’s a slightly suburban section in the middle, but the majority of the run feels like an alternative way to sightsee, with some beautiful views.
Space race
This year, 33 bands kept us entertained along the way, with a mix from traditional brass bands to guitar-heavy rock groups and lone balladeers.
Despite its relatively small size, the race is professionally organised. There are coach transfers from Sliema to the start line; a service to bring your bag back to a pick-up point beyond the finish line; good toilet facilities; and stations along the route with water, sports drinks, fruit and sponges.
“A few uphill sections made the next three miles a bit more of a slog, but as we neared Valletta I got a second wind, and made good time along the waterfront.”
But this isn’t a large race. Runners who have become accustomed to the congested roads of many of the popular UK races, where it can feel like dodging others is half the battle, will be pleasantly surprised. After a slightly crowded first two miles, the pack spreads out and there’s plenty of space to hit your stride.
There’s a friendly atmosphere, and although support along the way isn’t at the level of something like the London Marathon, the last few miles are lined with cheering spectators helping to give you that final push towards the finish.
Running the half-marathon, I barely noticed the first six miles tick past, with plenty to look at and a nice downhill course. A few uphill sections made the next three miles a bit more of a slog, but as we neared Valletta I got a second wind, and made good time along the waterfront for the last four miles to finish in 1.47.36 – not quite a PB, but one of my faster half‑marathon times.
Base running
One of the most convenient places to stay for the race is Sliema – it’s where the transfers to the start leave from, and where the finish line is, so clients will be able to hobble back to their hotels.
But one of the benefits of Malta’s small size is that it’s not far to any of the island’s resorts, so clients can also safely choose their hotel based on what else they want to do during their stay.
“One of the most convenient places to stay for the race is Sliema – it’s where the transfers to the start leave from, and where the finish line is.”
A boutique base in Valletta will allow them to sightsee from their door, wandering among the grid of streets to see the gilded splendour of St John’s Co-Cathedral and the gorgeous harbour views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
But a larger resort-style property with space for pools and spa facilities will be a better bet if all they’ll really want to do before and after the run is, like Malta’s traditional winter clientele, relax.
Read more
Active holidays in Quinta do Lago
Robinson Club, Fuerteventura review
Active and adventure: Sports holidays
