The Government is working with the organizers of the Malta Marathon to find a solution so that the race continues as planned, said the Minister of Transport Ian Borg on Wednesday.

The national marathon, scheduled for March 6, was canceled on Tuesday after the organizing committee clashed with Transport Malta over the proposed route.

But when asked about the cancellation during an event on Wednesday, Borg expressed the hope that a solution could be found.

“I am informed that the authorities are working to remedy the disappointment left by others in favor of the athletes who expressed their disappointment to be able to continue the marathon,” he said.

“You can expect more information to be communicated in the coming hours.”

The marathon organizers first sounded the alarm last week, warning that there was a chance that the race would be discontinued due to a lack of COVID-19 safety guidelines and a new route. it was considered unsafe by health professionals.

On Tuesday, the committee announced that the race had been formally canceled after discussions on the route with Transport Malta reached a standstill.

“While we fully respect the authority of Transport Malta, we cannot adopt a route that has been declared unacceptable by the Mater Dei Emergency Department, the Malta Red Cross and the Malta Police. Malta’s traffic due to security concerns, “said the event’s organizers on Tuesday.

Asked if Transport Malta was able to resolve the issues en route, Borg said he was not a party to direct discussions and was unfamiliar with the disputed issues.

The Malta Marathon was canceled in 2019 due to bad weather and in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers said application and transportation fees will be refunded to athletes if the race does not resume this year.

Athletes who have been training for months have been left at the heart, with many traveling to Malta specifically for the event.

The organizing committee of the Malta Marathon also stated that the Malta Intersport La Valette Marathon, which was given the green light to continue on April 24, was given preferential treatment.

Its organizers deny the request.