Maximize your runs in Malta

Malta is a great place for running all year around I have discovered. It’s not big but landscape is varied and climate is the largest plus. Even in December the water is hot enough to jump in to after collecting some kilometers. At least for a Scandinavian. All routes are not fast paced ones and you sometimes needs to watch out for all traffic on the sidewalks or holes. If there are no side walks I would take my headphones out since traffic at the island is a bit crazy and being hit by a car is not comfortable.

Best running routes

If you are staying in Sliema or St Julian’s the always trafficked running route goes alongside the water. When wet it gets slippery but it is views are amazing I can assure. 

Another good run is to run along the shore around the capital Valletta. It is a bit more challenging due to the hills but views are great.

My third favorite one near St Julians area is to head out to a military training area and hiking/walking place called Pembroke. It can be very windy there though since the space is open but it is worth a visit to not be disturbed by cars.

Running races in Malta

5K La Salle

In December I participated in a 5K race. I signed up because I wanted to reach my goal of one top 3 place at a running race in 2024 and I made it. It was well arranged and I did not gave all in running wise. Focus was position. I started all in just above 4min/Km to find out how the competition was but only one girl followed me and passed after just before 2K and I knew I had no chance so I slowed down a little. No one was approaching so I kept the pace knowing that I had power to increase it in case needed. It was a single lap 5K course that was closed for traffic and it was a pleasure to run this sunny Sunday morning in December. I reached the stadium again where the run started and I was with light steps running into it and crossed the finish line to see that I made it to the podium. I’m still happy about my accomplishment. 

Attard 10K

I made a last minute signup to a 10K race se one weekend in January. I wanted to see a new route and thought it could be a good start of a Sunday. My goal was to run fast so I started fast. It was flat and car free but quite windy at some parts where there was open fields. This is one of the bigger runs in Malta and part of the preparation for marathon and half marathon so many good runners participated. I was going with the flow and finished in my best 10K time. Happy ending of what is not my favorite distance. But I start to like it more and more the more times I run it. it’s not a run you need to travel extra to Malta to be part of but if you are in the area it’s worth participating in.

Fastest 21K

Another Sunday in end of January I signed up for this run. 21K and flat, who can resist? The race day I felt very unmotivated and legs heavy like stones. The first five kilometers of the course was also very very boring. Back and forth on the same street. I cannot say that my motivation was increasing. My mind pended between wanna give up and just finish as fast as possible. But the run got better. The route got more exciting and there were actually people out watching. With five kilometers left my stones had disappeared from my legs and I was rolling down the hills. I could smell a new PB and did everything I could do get a better time. 1:38:31 I finished in at the neighborhood of Birkikara where Maltas one and only train station is located. Who could have thought! A very well organized run and the goodie bag was huge. But I left mine in the deposit bus and then forgot to bring it. But a nice medal I got as a memory.

Malta half marathon

One month later and time for what I heard is the perfect race for PB hunters. I had my new Garmin on and there you can race against a goal time. I tried it out for the first time and added 1:38:00 as finishing time for the 21K. The function was fantastic and I made it to the finish well before that.

Malta half marathon as a race was a great arrangement. Bus pickup in Sliema one hour before start to the old capital of Mdina. Only minus there was that the start was chaos. I waited 25 minutes for last toilet visit and got into my box 2 minutes before start. Had to race into the chaos of people where starting groups did not existed and try to use sharp elbow tactic to get somewhere. The whole course was down, down, down. 292 meters down and 68 up my watch showed. Easy PB course but it was a bit painful for the legs in the end with all this downhill running. As a security I used one knee protection and think it was helpful. People from all over the world had found their way to Malta for the run which also had the full marathon distance. Nice course and well arranged run that I can recommend. Weather was also great with 10 degrees in the start and around 16 at finish.

In 2023 I was running La Valette marathon here at Malta and I can also recommend that run. Smaller race but it will take you all around the island and the finish line is beautiful. Like I said there are loads of options for runners in Malta.

Have you ever been to Malta for a run?

/ Pernilla the island runner