Malta Marathon

The Malta Marathon takes place in and around Mdina, the historic fortified city that sits at the heart of Malta's landscape. This medieval settlement, perched on elevated terrain, provides a dramatic backdrop for the race and gives runners a genuine sense of place rather than just another generic event venue. The surrounding countryside offers classic Mediterranean scenery with stone walls, quiet roads, and views across the island. The course itself is a trail marathon that stays refreshingly gentle throughout. Runners will encounter rolling terrain rather than any serious climbing, with the path gradually rising and falling across a modest elevation range that keeps things interesting without becoming punishing. The 174 meters of total gain spread across 42.2 kilometers means you're dealing with a fundamentally runnable route where the terrain itself won't break you, though the trail surface and any wind exposure common to Malta will still demand respect. Most of the elevation sits in the lower half, so you won't face major climbs late in the race when fatigue sets in.