Hyde Park Harriers at the Malta Half Marathon

Sunday 22^nd February saw the 30^th Vodafone Malta half and full marathon.

Two Hyde Park Harriers, James Barry and Clair Brennan, joined 4000 participants to run the 21.1km from Mdina to Sliema. Of the 1900 foreign runners, 600 were from the UK and there were a host of running club shirts on display alongside two HPH’s. Spotted representing Yorkshire were also Dragon’s Running club and Otley AC; the former club had the third fastest British male.

The route and the Maltese weather ensured James and Clair both achieved a PB, 1.39 and 1.59 respectively. There is a 200 metre drop between the start and the finish so most of the race is a gradual downward gradient. The weather was mainly cool with a bit of rain part way round but the finish line was bathed in glorious sunshine.

It is a very well organised race with several musical genre bands all the way round and a very impressive blingy gold medal for finishers. Thoroughly recommended for anyone thinking of a running holiday.