PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONMT / RACE GUIDE

Malta Marathon

Name: POV dji osmo action 5 pro - sub 90min Malta Half Marathon 2026
Uploaded: 2026-02-27
Description: One of Europe's oldest marathons.\n\nIt starts outside the ancient walled city of Mdina, passes through the countryside and urban areas, crosses Grand Harbour where yachts are lined up, and finishes i

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Bugibba
MT

ianpudsey · CC BY 3.0Mike McBey, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0Txllxt TxllxT, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Txllxt TxllxT, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Race date in 146 days: Feb 28, 2027 Sun
City · Distance: Bugibba · 42.195km · 21.1km
Entry fee: €55Varies by event and entry period
Status: OpenWed, April 15, 2026 ~ Sun, February 21, 2027See how to enter ↗

Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 5, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

One of Europe's oldest marathons.\n\nIt starts outside the ancient walled city of Mdina, passes through the countryside and urban areas,

crosses Grand Harbour where yachts are lined up,

and finishes in Sliema.\n\nStarting at 195m elevation and ending at sea level, the entire course is essentially downhill.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

#February Marathon#Bugibba#MaltaHalfMarathon#MaltaMarathon#Sliema#World certified marathon#Full marathon Marathon#Overseas Marathon

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

5 race reports

Helena RadcliffeRan in 2026 · Finish time 4:35:53

“It felt like having three holidays in one, a perfect reflection of Malta’s history.”

Helena ran course, with continuous climbs and repeated sections, and encountered different scenery and support in each village. At the end, she ran along the port to finish and finished in personal best, with a time of 4 hours 35 minutes 53 seconds.

Read the original on Steel City Striders Running Club

pickupthepacepaulRan in 2026 · Finish time 04:14:52

“My official time was 04:14:52, with happy smiles and PB at the end.”

The runner took part in the Malta Marathon as part of a family trip. Although disappointed with the directions to the start and the registration queue, the runner enjoyed the accurate kilometre markers, the smooth course with its ups and downs, and the sea views, finishing in 4 hours 14 minutes 52 seconds.

Read the original on pickupthepacepaul

DavidRan in 2025 · Finish time 3:48:58

“I kept chasing her, even when I knew I couldn’t catch her.”

After the downhill section, they encountered more rolling hills than expected and walked up a steep incline at mile 23. At the end, they tried to maintain pace along the harbor.

Read the original on Goal-Oriented Runner

Matthias KleinertRan in 2025

“After waiting in line for almost 40 minutes, I finally received a running shirt and a shoe bag containing bib.”

A Malta half marathon participant recorded the Packet Pickup wait and the journey from Sliema to Mdina.

Quoted from the original · translated

Original quote

Knapp 40 Minuten Schlangestehen, dann hatte ich meinen Schuhbeutel inklusive Laufshirt und Startnummer eingesammelt.

Read the original on runningblog.de

Pernilla Bredolt

“Easy PB course but it was a bit painful for the legs in the end with all this downhill running.”

The runner took a bus from Sliema to the start in Mdina. After experiencing a wait for the toilets and congestion at the start, the runner finished ahead of the 1-hour-38-minute goal. The runner wrote that the legs hurt in the second half because of the long descent.

Read the original on Runwaytoadventures

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Finisher vlog

Malta Marathon Press · Finisher vlog

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

General entry

Online registration and payment at the official site maltamarathon.com.

Tiered rates (~11/30 €55, ~1/15 €60, thereafter €70).

Face-to-face registration/Packet Pickup will also be held on designated days at Eurosport (Birkirkara) for local participants and at designated hotels for overseas participants.

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

The 42.195km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 06:45

Time limitMarathon: 5 hours

START

Mdina Gate, Mdina

Start · Google Maps

FINISH

Spinola Bay, Sliema/St Julian's border

different point from the starting point (point to point, mostly downhill)

Finish · Google Maps

Cut-off
Official guidelines time limit: 15 km 08:30, 21 km 09:15, 32 km 10:30, 35 km 11:00, 38 km 11:15. Once the 5-hour limit is exceeded, traffic management, marshals, and support services end.

Original course map · goandrace.com

The LifeStar Malta Marathon is a point-to-point course that starts outside the walls of the old capital Mdina and ends in the coastal town of Sliema.

The start is 190 m above sea level and the finish is at sea level, so it runs mostly downhill overall, with a full marathon total elevation gain of 211 m.

The full marathon passes along Rabat's main road and Nigret, then takes the Mtarfa bypass to reach Ta' Qali around 5 km.

From 6 to 10 km there is a small loop past the National Stadium, the Pitkali vegetable market and the US Embassy,

and from 11 to 25 km a large loop runs through Attard and Mosta and back to Ta' Qali.

Between 26 and 28 km the route passes through the centre of Attard village.

At 30–31 km runners follow the old aqueduct from Mriehel to Birkirkara, then pass the Hamrun–Marsa bypass and Blata l-Bajda.

The last 5 km follow the waterfront through Sa Maison, Pietà, Msida, Ta' Xbiex and Gżira,

skirting the small inlets of the Grand Harbour lined with yachts, all the way to the finish in Sliema.

The 2027 course is expected to be almost the same as in 2026 unless there are roadworks.

World Athletics Label: Label Label
AIMS Certified: Member race of the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races)
Typical race-season temperature: around 14°C (57°F): Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Bag drop

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

Bib pickup

Local participants can collect their race packs at Eurosport (Birkirkara) on 2027-02-21 from 11:00 to 18:00 or on 02-23 from 17:30 to 21:30. International participants can collect theirs at Barceló Fortina Hotel on 02-25–02-26 from 17:30 to 21:30 or on 02-27 from 13:30 to 22:00. An entry ID or passport number is required, and collection by proxy is allowed.

Stations & transport near the venue

Just tap your foreign contactless Visa/Mastercard (or phone) directly on the reader when boarding — Malta Public Transport buses now accept contactless bank cards fleet-wide, no card purchase needed for short visits.

Getting to the start

Mdina / Rabat (Saqqajja) -- reached via official race transport from the finish in Sliema

Official pre-bookable transport (EUR 5 per person) runs from the finish area in Sliema to the start in Mdina.

Buses depart Sliema at 05:30 for Full Marathon runners (race starts 06:45).

Tickets issued at registration, must be presented before boarding.

Getting to the finish

The Ferries, Sliema

Finish line at The Ferries, Sliema, about 100m from the Barcelo Fortina Hotel (race HQ, overseas registration venue, award ceremony).

Finish line closes at 12:00.

More details

Official paid transport (EUR 5 pp) from the finish in Sliema to the start in Mdina, bookable at registration.

Departs 05:30 for the Full Marathon.

IC card

tallinja card

Malta Public Transport sales offices, card-dispensing machines island-wide (including at Malta International Airport arrivals hall/baggage reclaim),

and authorised retail outlets (e.g., Agenda bookshops)

Works directly at the gates

Alternative: Explore Card (Adult, 7-Day) €25 (7-day adult);

also Explore Flex 4-day €21 / 7-day €27;

child 7-day €7;

12 Single Day Journeys card €19 — Worth buying if taking roughly 12+ rides in a week;

for just a handful of trips, tapping a contactless bank card at €2.00 (winter)/€2.50 (summer) per 2-hour journey is cheaper and requires zero setup.

More details

Malta Public Transport is a single nationwide network covering Bugibba and Valletta.

Contactless payment (via Bank of Valletta/Visa partnership) has been extended fleet-wide across all ~400 route buses —

pay by cash or tap card/phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay, BOVPay) directly with the driver.

Single fares are €2.00 (winter) or €2.50 (summer), valid 2 hours with free transfers.

Source · checked Aug 20, 2026 Source · checked Aug 17, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The full marathon starts at 6:45 AM and the half marathon and walkathon at 8:15, both from Mdina.

The shuttle to the start costs 5 euros and leaves from the finish area in Sliema at 5:30 for the full marathon and at 6:45 for the half marathon.

Overseas participants collect their bib, chip, shuttle ticket and kit bag at the Barceló Fortina Hotel, 100 m from the finish,

and only need to give the passport number used at registration.

Bags go into the DHL vehicle at the start marked with your bib range and are taken to the underground car park 150 m behind the finish.

The full marathon time limit is a tight 5 hours: runners who do not pass 15 km by 8:30, 32 km by 10:30, 35 km by 11:00 and 38 km by 11:15 must stop racing.

After the finish, runners receive water, Powerade and bananas.

The awards ceremony is held at 6:30 PM on race day at the Barceló Fortina Hotel,

and with many team and age-group prizes your name may be called unexpectedly, so attending is recommended.

Times are local to Bugibba. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels that make race morning easyHotels to rest in right after the finish

7 places

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Accommodation · 60m

8.6/10(23)

View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

Tourist Attraction · Bugibba 5.6km

★4.5(6391)

Map

Blue Grotto

Scenic Spot · Bugibba 14.7km

★4.7(13,000)

Map

Hajar Qim Archaeological Site

Bugibba 13.7km

★4.6(8680)

Map

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

Checklist Local eSIM · Yesim Flight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelp Pace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Bugibba runners' room

FAQ

When does Malta Marathon 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sun, February 28, 2027 in Bugibba, Malta.

How do I register for Malta Marathon 2027?

Entry routes: General entry. Registration is handled on the official website.

How much is the Malta Marathon 2027 entry fee?

The main event costs €55.

What is the time limit for Malta Marathon 2027?

Marathon: 5 hours.

What distances does Malta Marathon 2027 offer?

Marathon · Half.

What time does Malta Marathon 2027 start?

The race starts at 06:45.

Where does Malta Marathon 2027 start?

Mdina Gate, Mdina.

Where does Malta Marathon 2027 finish?

Spinola Bay, Sliema/St Julian's border — different point from the starting point (point to point, mostly downhill).

When does registration for Malta Marathon 2027 open?

Registration runs from Wed, April 15, 2026 to Sun, February 21, 2027.

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Malta Marathon

About Malta Marathon — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run

Malta Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

See it on video,feel it through their stories.

Finisher vlog

How to enter Malta Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —start with what fits you.

General entry

Malta Marathon course map and elevation

The 42.195km I'll run

Mdina Gate, Mdina

Spinola Bay, Sliema/St Julian's border

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Bag drop

Where and when to collect your Malta Marathon race bib

To the start line,step by step.

Bib pickup

Getting to the start

Getting to the finish

More details

IC card

More details

From race morning to after the finish.

The race is one day,the trip can be longer.

Hotels near the Malta Marathon start line in Bugibba

Hotels that make race morning easyHotels to rest in right after the finish

The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux

Domus Boutique Hotel

Palazzo Bifora

Mdina Gate Retreat - A charming house of character

Maison Medina Malta

Howard House Hotel

Il Bekka Suites

86 Spinola Bay

Impressive View 2BR Flat in St Julian's Bay by ArcoCollection

Elegant seafront apartment

Giuliani Seafront Penthouse 16

Scenic View 2BR in St Julian's Bay by ArcoCollection

Bayview Seafront 5A

Bayview Seafront 4A

Time for you, before and after the finish

From Bugibba: Comino and Gozo Cruise with Swimming Stop

From Bugibba: Blue Lagoon Afternoon Swim and Sunset Cruise

Valletta Sightseeing Cruise (Departing from Sliema)

Fernandez Gozo & Comino & Blue Lagoon Cruise Experience

From Sliema: Cruise Around Malta's Harbours and Creeks

Malta Harbour & Creeks Cruise (Departing from Sliema)

Comino Island & Blue Lagoon Cruise (Departing from Sliema)

Bugibba car rental (EconomyBookings)

Bugibba Airport Pickup (GetTransfer)

Bugibba Airport–City Private Taxi

Gozo Island, Ggantija Temples, and The Citadel Day Tour

Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise | Swimming, Snorkeling & Waterslide Experience

Malta: Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo & Caves Boat Cruise

Bugibba: Blue Lagoon Evening Swimming & Snorkeling Boat Cruise

Malta: Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay & Caves Cruise

Bugibba: Gozo & Blue Lagoon, Coastal Caves & Crystal Lagoon

Bugibba: Sunset Cruise to the Blue Lagoon, Caves and Crystal Lagoon

From Bugibba: Comino & Blue Lagoon, including Sea Caves & Crystal Lagoon

Malta Private Tour of Mdina, Blue Grotto & Cliffs

Malta: Mdina and Rabat Tour with a Local Guide

Private Tour of Mdina & Rabat, Malta’s Silent Cities

Malta & Mdina Highlights Full-Day Tour (Lunch Included)

Mdina, Dingli Cliffs & San Anton Gardens Tour

Eurail Global Pass

Valletta Waterfront, Mdina & Rabat Night Tour

Valletta Sunset Small Group Walking Tour

Where runners eat in Bugibba

Eating well is part of the trip

Made in Sud

LOA - South American Fusion

Pulcinella Pizzeria Napoletana

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

To the start line,
step by step.

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

With runners who dream of
the same start line.