Sunday’s Gozo Half Marathon 2014 was a great success,with fine weather greeting the large crowds of supporters that lined the route of the races.
The organisers said, “the race wouldn’t have been such a success without the continuous support of many.”
The Gozo Half Marathon Organising Committee thanked all the 400 participating athletes, who have marked the Gozo Half Marathon race as a yearly event.
The Committee also gave thanks to all the Xaghra Youth Centre youths, Xaghra Scout Group, marshalls, the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps of Gozo, and all others involved in the organisation and logistics of the event. “Your energy and enthusiasm helps make this event so vibrant!” The said.
The trophies were presented to the winners by the Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo.
The results for the Gozo Half Marathon 2014 can be viewed here. Results can be viewed here: [1]
Photoghraphs – Alain Salvary
20 Comments To "400 athletes particpate in Sunday’s Gozo Half Marathon 2014"
#1 Comment By Mick Cundy On April 28, 2014 @ 4:22 am
The number of trophies given for the range of competitors was amazing. Well done for including as many as possible and encouraging the participation.
#2 Comment By Dietmar Treptow On April 28, 2014 @ 7:46 am
Well done ! But why the are running in Cities ? Dangerous !
#3 Comment By Mick Cundy On April 28, 2014 @ 12:52 pm
No more dangerous than running marathons in London or Paris and Newcastle and other cities as I did. They had police escorts and closed roads etc.
#4 Comment By Mr+Brightside On April 28, 2014 @ 2:59 pm
Cities? Do we have cities on Gozo? Bizarre comment. If a race is well marshalled as this was it makes no difference whether in town or country. In fact my scariest moment running was being overtaken by a real pig during the New Forest Marathon in the UK!
#5 Comment By Joseph Caruana On April 29, 2014 @ 11:24 am
@ Mr+Brightside
You need to be sure of your facts before criticising other commenters.
Gozo does indeed have Cities, as well of course as Towns and Villages.
#6 Comment By Peter On April 29, 2014 @ 12:01 pm
Mr+Brightside we have a city in Gozo it’s called Victoria. Didn’t you Know ?
So please next time check your facts before you publish a comment.
#7 Comment By Mick Cundy On April 29, 2014 @ 12:19 pm
In fairness to Mr Brightside I think there has been a misunderstanding concerning what may have been said as a form of humour, compounded by cultural differences. We all know there are Cities here, lovely ones too. Also, I was only aware that this was run through part of one City, Rabat.
#8 Comment By Eliza Portelli On April 28, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
I don’t understand how people find this fun to watch
#9 Comment By Mr+Brightside On April 28, 2014 @ 10:12 pm
What you enjoy and what others enjoy do not have to be the same! In any case I think you’ll find the pleasure is in participation and most of the spectator are friends, family or lovers of the participants.
#10 Comment By Mick Cundy On April 29, 2014 @ 10:15 am
Agreed, unless you have done something like this then you may not understand. Support is also very important. I just wish I could have participated but alas I can run no more.
#11 Comment By Peter On April 29, 2014 @ 10:30 am
Eliza I don’t understand your comments.
#12 Comment By Dietmar Treptow On April 29, 2014 @ 8:31 am
Bizarre ? You can run long the coast – there is enough place . There you cant disturb people the have to work and using the streets .
#13 Comment By Mick Cundy On April 29, 2014 @ 10:01 am
But then, how do you get publicity and thus sponsorship? You see there is far more to this than may first meet the eye. A minor inconvenience such as this should be tolerated. I find it is by most people here. We and most people, enjoy things like this.
#14 Comment By Eliza Portelli On April 29, 2014 @ 4:39 pm
Dietmar,Your 100% right!!!
#15 Comment By Mick Cundy On April 30, 2014 @ 5:04 am
Eliza, you don’t understand how anyone can enjoy watching so how can you say that Dietmar is 100% right? You do not understand the need for participation, spectating, publicity or sponsorship. If people objected to this and similar events clogging up City streets there would be an outcry here; there has not been. Also, please tell me that if there was such objection may I ask about the Festas, Carnivals, Processions and all the other events that go on in the City and village streets, thereby shutting them off and clogging them up? They are all part of the wonderful culture here or should they be moved to the coast also? Please remember this event only takes place once per year and causes very little, if any, inconvenience.
#16 Comment By Eliza Portelli On April 30, 2014 @ 5:15 pm
Festas and Carnivals are Maltese and I am Maltese background and not only do I think they are fun but I wouldn’t mind if they had it everyday. You are trying to turn Malta into your own country and I do not like that one tiny bit.
#17 Comment By Mr+Brightside On April 30, 2014 @ 11:11 pm
Thank goodness the people who comment on this site are not typical of the wonderful Gozitan and Maltese characters I meet everyday.
#18 Comment By Mick Cundy On May 1, 2014 @ 5:16 am
I most certainly am NOT trying to change anything! Upon what do you base that assumption?
I am a resident guest here and respect all things traditional and have done since 1977. My wife was born here too. Why do you say I am trying to change anything? Gozo Half Marathon is Maltese too you know. Your arguments are illogical and as you live in New York why do you worry?
#19 Comment By Richard Gilbert On May 8, 2014 @ 2:00 pm
I thought it was a super half marathon. A very friendly atmosphere, well organised and a decent route. As for not running though ‘cities’, for me I thought there was a good balance of countryside and ‘cities’. Perhaps there’s a culture thing here… in England a town or village only becomes a city if it has a cathedral.
I was little surprised at the lack of support during the run.. it didn’t seem to be embraced by the locals, though the organisers, marshalls and everyone involved with the race seemed very enthusiastic and helped make it a great race. Thanks to everyone concerned.
#20 Comment By Mick Cundy On May 8, 2014 @ 4:58 pm
Actually Richard that is not quite true. City status in the United Kingdom is granted by the British monarch to a select group of communities. The status does not apply automatically on the basis of any particular criteria. In the twentieth century, it was explicitly recognised that the status of city in England and Wales would no longer be bound to the presence of a cathedral, and grants made since have been awarded to communities on a variety of criteria, including population size.
That aside one has to bear in mind the difference in culture and remember that Sunday morning is usually taken up by attending Mass in this country and meeting with family, hence, perhaps an apparent lack of support.