Over 1,000 applicants for the 19th Express Trailers Zurrieq events
The 19th edition of the Express Trailers Zurrieq HM, 10km Run & 10km Walk due tomorrow has attracted over 1,000 local and foreign applicants confirming the event as one of the top running events on the island.
“This event is a clear example how at local level, Local Councils can collaborate with organisations to support and contribute towards the growth of events that strengthens a locality’s identity. In fact, the southern village of Zurrieq, usually known by tourists for its sea and the Blue Grotto has now added this established sports event in its annual calendar. The Zurrieq Local Council is therefore proud of its important role in seeing this event grow since its inception 19 years ago which up to four years ago, used to attract just about 130 athletes,” said Dino Bonnici, Zurrieq Local Council member during a press conference held at the Local Council’s offices in Zurrieq.
Whilst confirming the Local Council’s commitment to keep supporting events that promote a healthier lifestyle amongst the locality’s residents, Dino Bonnici took the opportunity to thank the Zurrieq Wolves Athletics Club for the sterling work done in the previous years and the Malta Marathon Organising Committee and Express Trailers whose support has taken this event up to another level.
Joe Micallef, the organiser of the event, noted how over the past few years, there has been an important shift in the pattern of race applicants. He said: “One of the most important things that we have been noticing in our organised road running events is that many people start participating in walks and then they feel easily encouraged to take up running. In fact, the amount of people who are taking part in the Express Trailers Zurrieq 10km Walk is gradually decreasing and the amount of those applying for the run are increasing, a trend being noticed across most of our races. This is very positive because it means that more people are being encouraged to become more active.”
Franco Azzopardi, Chairman and CEO of Express Trailers addressed the press conference about the company’s role in seeing this event grow and become a major event in Malta’s road race calendar.
He added: “We have always believed in the importance of sports as a holistic way of self-development. At Express Trailers we encourage our own people to practice sport and we do have a number of employees who are successful members of sports clubs. Besides supporting our employees’ involvement in sport however, we also look at such prominent activities such as this Express Trailers Half Marathon and 10km Run and Walk.
“We recognise the fact that our operations are mainly based on road transport and as such, our fleet of trucks and trailers put a burden on all other road users, most notably the more vulnerable ones such as runners and cyclists. Our sponsorship of this race which takes place on our roads is one way to seek to redress the balance.”
