Malaga Marathon gains momentum

NEW YORK has its famous one, as does London, Boston, Paris and Berlin – and Malaga could soon be added to that list.

The Malaga Marathon took place last weekend, bringing the city to a standstill, and further cementing its position as one of the best marathons on the international calendar.

Now in its fifth year, the Malaga Cabberty Marathon attracted more than 3,000 runners, with a fifth of them coming from abroad, and 70 per cent from outside Malaga.

The 26-mile race is becoming an international event on a par with some of the best marathons in the world, and is now listed on the Calendar of International Marathons and Distance  Races.

This year’s gruelling race attracted 1,000 more entrants than last, and was won by Kenyan runner John Kipkorir Mutai, in a time of two hours, 13 minutes and 10 seconds.

Passing by some of Malaga’s best known  sites, the competitors barely had time to acknowledge the city’s beauty as they battled for position in the strength-sapping distance run.

Good weather brought out spectators to cheer on the runners and added to the atmosphere.

Moroccan athlete El Mouazid finished second, and third went to Kenyan Francis Kimutai Kosgei. The women’s event was won by Spaniard Gemma Arenas Alcazar, who also won in 2011 and 2012.