The Malta Independent on Sunday
Global Run Valletta route for runners and walkers unveiled
Runners and walkers are invited to take part in the inaugural edition of Global Run Valletta (GRV) 2016, which celebrates the beauty of capital Valletta and raises funds for Puttinu Cares.
Being organised on Sunday 30 October by Global Ports Holding – the world’s largest cruise port operator and the majority shareholder in Valletta Cruise Port – GRV 2016 will feature a 10K run, a 5K run and a 5K walk on a course that starts (8am) and finishes (11am) at the Valletta Waterfront.
Registration for the 10K and 5K is open to all persons above the age of 18, while the 5K walk is open to anyone born till 2011. The fee for 10K run is €10, €5 for the 5K run, and €5 for the 5K walk. Registration can be completed on www.globalrunvalletta.com.
Each participant who completes the route - whether running or walking - is awarded a unique medal especially minted for this occasion.
However, medals are not the only recognition as the top runners will take home awards based on the categories of 10K and 5K but also by age-groups.
In the general category of 10K and 5K, the top five men and top five women will receive the awards and in the age category, the top three winners will be awarded in the following groups: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 plus with ages calculated as on the day of the race. As an added incentive, an athlete who wins an award from the general category will not be eligible for an award in the age groups.
Families with toddlers in pushchairs and trikes are particularly welcomed for the 5K walk. The celebrations and fun activities related to the race will get underway a day earlier on Saturday 29th October, when race kits can also be picked up. Both the events on Saturday and Sunday are family oriented.
This high-quality event will be held in accordance with the regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the Malta Amateur Athletics Association ( MAAA) whose President Edwin Attard said: “Running for All is a major target adopted by European Athletics, our parent body, to achieve its noble objective, making athletics “OUR SPORT FOR LIFE”. What better way to give value to these healthy activities than adding the picturesque backdrop of our magnificent Grand Harbour and the contours of our historic, capital city Valletta. At the Malta Amateur Athletics Association we aim to make this event an annual feature of the sporting calendar and an international appointment on the European Calendar.”
“Puttinu Cares works hard to ease the suffering of children and their families who are undergoing cancer treatment. Presently, every month, 90 patients require further treatment in UK. Puttinu provides the necessary accommodation with stays that can stretch for weeks, months and even years in the U.K. for both patients and their respective relatives. We are very proud to be working together with Global Run Valletta in this initiative so that we will continue with our mission,” said Dr Victor Calvagna, President of Puttinu Cares Foundation.
“Valletta embodies the great spirit of discovery, culture, and diversity – all values that drive Global Ports Holding in connecting millions of cruise passengers at its 12 ports in eight countries. Our aim is to make Global Run series a hallmark event at all of our port destinations,” said, Emre Sayin, Chief Executive Officer of Global Ports Holding.
“Valletta is widely searched and recognised in the world of tourism. Through the Global Run Valletta, Global Ports Holding wants an event that celebrates the beauty of Valletta but also propels the City for the first time into the world of sport,” said Stephen Xuereb, Chief Operating Officer of Global Ports Holding and Chief Executive Officer of Valletta Cruise Port (VCP).
It is to be noted that more than 60 runners from abroad have registered for the inaugural edition of the Global Run Valletta (GRV), adding to the numbers of arrivals in what is already a record-breaking year for the Maltese tourism industry.
The Chairman of Malta Tourism Authority Dr Gavin Gulia said: “Sport tourism is becoming an increasingly important component of our tourism product. Together with the Ministry for Tourism and the various stakeholders in the private sector, the Malta Tourism Authority has been actively promoting this segment in its varied disciplines. We welcome this new event, and look forward to seeing it grow in the years to come.”
The Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, Chris Agius, noted that GRV was another initiative demonstrating the importance that sport plays in Malta. “The government welcomed such initiatives by the private sector which arises from the positive vibe that reigns in our country. Sport was bringing people from different walks of life together while also instilling values not found in other activities. In addition, such initiatives provided opportunities for people to get active and lead a healthy life,” he said.
The excitement surrounding Global Run Valletta 2016 can be followed on www.globalrunvalletta.com or facebook.com/globalrunseries and instagram.com/globalrunseries