Malta Marathon Organizer Withdraws Support for Sport Malta Race
Malta Marathon organizer Joe Micallef withdrew his support for a new government-run race, describing his initial approval as “fast”.
“Emotions on logic … 37 years [organising the Malta Marathon] And that’s why we decided to completely disassociate ourselves from Sport Malta’s charity marathon, ”said Micallef in a video uploaded by the Bulletproof fitness community.
Just yesterday, Sport Malta Chief Executive Mark Cutajar announced that Micallef had accepted their invitation to be part of the organizing board for the government-organized race.
“We will work together for a big event,” Cutajar said.
However, Micallef now said that his decision to work and collaborate with Sport Malta “came entirely from a quick decision that came from an emotional love for sport, the local running community and the 1,200 people who came from outside. [for the marathon]. ”
“The route imposed by Transport Malta was considered unacceptable by the Mater Dei emergency department, the Malta Red Cross and the Malta Traffic Police, due to security reasons for both emergency responders as well as runners, ”he said.
Running activist Darren Vandit, who is organizing a separate run on the same date as the original Malta Marathon, said the marathon organizers are “taking a strong stand against the incision of any political intervention and victimization.” , such as charities that have absolutely nothing. do it with our beloved sport ”.
This was apparently a reference to Puttinu Cares, the child cancer charity for which the government marathon is raising funds.
“We sincerely wish you to be disappointed and leave,” Vandit said. “We will never accept our beloved sport becoming a political ball.”
Cover photo: Left: Malta Marathon organizer Joe Micallef, Right: Micallef with Sport Malta Chief Executive Mark Cutajar
Will you be attending the new marathon?