Malta is prepared to step onto the international stage this Sunday, 22 February 2026, as the 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon officially launches the inaugural Running Europe Tour. This edition marks a historic milestone for local road running, featuring record-breaking participation and elite technical standards.
A Record-Breaking Global Gathering
The 2026 race has seen unprecedented demand, with 7,000 officially registered athletes and a waiting list of approximately 200 runners. This represents a significant surge of 1,900 additional entries compared to the 2025 edition.
The event has truly become a global crossroads, with 85 nations represented. International interest is led by participants from the United Kingdom, followed closely by Poland and Italy, contributing to a total of 4,000 overseas entries. Local engagement remains robust, featuring 2,200 Maltese runners and 800 foreign residents.
Elite Competition and Certified Courses
The technical level of this year’s race is exceptionally high. Both the marathon and half-marathon courses have attained official World Athletics certification, following precise measurements by international course measurer Giuseppe Sclafani.
- Men’s Marathon: All eyes are on Redouan Nouini, the course record holder (2:13:18 set in 2023). He faces a strong challenge from 2025 runner-up Mousaab Hadout and fellow Moroccan Bilal Marhoum.
- Women’s Marathon: Jemima Farley, winner of the last three editions and current record holder (2:35:41), aims for a historic fourth consecutive victory. She faces stiff competition from Morocco’s Sana Achahbar and Poland’s Dominika Stelmach.
- Half Marathon: Local favourite Dillon Cassar will lead the charge for Malta against international elites like Ben Zahra Abdelkarim and Laqouahi Hicham.
The Opening Chapter of the Running Europe Tour
Beyond the local impact, the race serves as the first of five major events in the 2026 Running Europe Tour. Following the finish line in Sliema, the tour will continue through several European landmarks:
- April 5: Kallithea Run (Athens, Greece)
- May 16: Corriamo verso Montecassino (Cassino, Italy)
- October 3: Biegnij Warszawo (Warsaw, Poland)
- October 18: 13th Palermo International Half Marathon (Sicily, Italy)
Event Schedule and Coverage
The marathon kicks off at 6:45 AM from the bastions of Mdina, winding through the countryside before finishing on the Sliema promenade. For the first time, the event will receive expanded international television coverage, broadcasting live in both Malta (TVM) and Italy (TeleRadio del Mediterraneo).
“This is the biggest edition of the Malta Marathon,” stated race director Joe Micallef. “With record numbers, certified courses, and international coverage, Malta is ready to confirm its position as a key reference point in European marathon running”.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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