39th Malta Marathon – February 25, 2024
Victory and record for Jemima Farley in the 39th LifeStar Malta Marathon
French-Moroccan Alaa’ Hrioued ahead of Andrew Grech in men’s race
Franco-Moroccan Alaa’ Hrioued lived up to the predictions made on the eve of the race, winning the 39th LifeStar Malta Marathon among the men, but the real feat among the women was achieved by Scottish resident Jemima Farley, who repeated her 2023 success, taking first place and setting a new race record.
Despite the pouring rain that made it difficult for the athletes, Jemima crossed the finish line in 2h35:41, a new personal best and above all a new Malta Marathon women’s record: she did better than her own record set in 2023 at 2h36:51. Farley was ahead of Jelena Abele of Lithuania (2h48:26) and Zuzana Picmanova of the Czech Republic (2h53:36) at the finish line in Sliema.
“I am happy with the win and happy with the record,” said Jemima Farley after the award ceremony, “the bad weather did not affect my performance. I was used to running in such weather conditions in Scotland.
Among the men, the duel between the 38-year-old Hrioued and Moroccan peer Lhoussaine Oukhrid lasted only a few kilometres, then the three-time French Marathon champion ran solo to win with a time of 2h18:54, ahead of Andrew Grech (2h34:40) and Matthew Xuereb (2h35:05).
“Unfortunately the bad weather did not allow me to aim for the race record,” said Alaa’ Hrioued, “despite the incessant rain, the course was good. I want to congratulate the organisation for making it easier for all the athletes’.
Also in the Half Marathon, it was the women who stood out. The winner was Moroccan Sanaa Achahbar who, a few hours after arriving by plane in Malta, triumphed in 1h17:38 ahead of Rosalie Borg (1h23:15) and Margarita Ntina (1h26:08).
“The passion for running of the 3,550 athletes at the start got the better of the bad weather,” 39th Malta Marathon organiser Joe Micallef said at the end of the race. ”I want to congratulate Jemima Farley on her victory and new record. It was not easy in these conditions to run so strong. But congratulations must be given to all the athletes in the race who showed how strong the desire to race on the streets of Malta is. I would like to thank all the sponsors and in particular LifeStar for their indispensable support, which enabled us to organise a great event that was broadcast live on television for the first time.
In the men’s Half Marathon, Britain’s Matthew Willis won in 1h03:38 ahead of Oisin Martyn (1h06:58) and Simon Bong (1h07:04).
“This first experience with the Malta Marathon was definitely positive,” said LifeStar chairman Paolo Catalfamo. “We are fully satisfied with the athletes’ response to the call of an event that combines a love for sport with a healthy lifestyle.”
Also present at the prize-giving ceremony was the Italian Ambassador in Valletta, who awarded the first Italian athletes, both men and women, of the Malta Marathon and the Half Marathon.
