WORDS VISITGOZO / MINISTRY FOR GOZO

GOZO’S UNRIVALLED SPLENDIDNESS… FOR RUNNERS?

MOSTLY KNOWN FOR ITS PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPES, HISTORICAL SITES, AND CRYSTAL-CLEAR WATERS, GOZO IS UNDOUBTEDLY A GEM IN THE CENTRE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. WITH ITS PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE AND CHARMING VILLAGES, ADD TO THAT A DELICIOUS CUISINE AND A RELAXED WAY OF LIFE AND GOZO BECOMES A PERFECT GETAWAY FOR THOSE LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

This is probably the most common way which Gozo is portrayed to foreigners. And rightly so, as Gozo offers all this. However, this island can offer much more, and this often goes unnoticed. For instance, Gozo is a great destination for runners looking to explore new places and meet new people. The island offers a variety of running routes, from scenic coastal p aths to challenging hilly climbs. Moreover, the island's roads are relatively quiet, making it a great place to run without heavy loads of traffic. The island's hilly terrain also provides a challenging workout for experienced runners while also offering stunning views of the Mediterranean.

To provide a bit of context, running is a very popular sport in Malta and the sister island can be attributed as pioneers in this line of sporting heritage. The Gozo Half Marathon is the oldest organized running event in the Maltese Islands, dating back to 1977. Initially done as a community event in Xaghra, it has recently grown into one of the main and most-innovative running events in Malta. It provides the perfect opportunity for runners to test their abilities and take in the island's beautiful scenery. Gozo's mild climate also makes it a great destination for runners looking to escape the cold weather in the winter. Whether you're a casual runner or a seasoned competitor, the Gozo Half Marathon offers something for everyone, as apart from our internationally-recognised Half Marathon and 10K, we also offer several other races targeted at different strata of runners.

Fully organised by volunteers all hailing from the Gozo, this running event has gone from strength to strength in the past few years with a peak attendance of more than 1,500 athletes in 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and being the first Maltese group to organize a Running EXPO which was held at the majestic Ġgantija Temples, also in 2019.

However, this momentum was paused following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 event had to be postponed and instead the team decided to organize the first virtual run to ever take place in the Maltese Islands. This went down well with our athletes and since things did not improve in 2021 (COVID-wise), another virtual run was organized. In total, around 1,000 athletes from more than 40 countries took place in both editions of these virtual runs. For this work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group was nominated for the Niche Tourism Award during the Gozo Tourism Awards, which were held in January 2023.

Whether runners are looking for a scenic route, a new place to explore on foot, or a challenging course to test their limits, in Gozo there's something out there for every runner. The Gozo Half Marathon allows runners to see some of the most charming spots in Gozo while getting in a workout. Additionally, our historic event provides a great way to meet locals and learn about what makes Gozo so special.

We hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome you to Gozo this April, and until then, keep on running!

WORDS CHRISTINE XUEREB SEIDU