# Run Gozo — il-Ġirja t'Għawdex (full facts)

> il-Ġirja t'Għawdex (the Gozo Half Marathon) is the longest-running road race in the Maltese Islands, first run in 1977. The 52nd edition is on Sunday, 25 April 2027, starting and finishing in Xagħra Square, Gozo, Malta. AIMS-certified, Athletics Malta Gold Label half marathon and 10K, plus a 5K, walkathons, a family run and kids' races. Organised by Run Gozo, a volunteer-run non-profit based at the Xagħra Youth Centre, whose Fair Play Initiative supports charitable projects in Malta and overseas.

Generated from the live site data on 2026-10-16. Canonical source: https://www.rungozo.org

## Key facts

- Event: il-Ġirja t'Għawdex (Gozo Half Marathon), 52nd edition
- Date: Sunday, 25 April 2027; half marathon starts 07:30 (Malta time)
- Start and finish: Xagħra Square, Gozo, Malta
- Organiser: Run Gozo (Run Gozo Organisation, voluntary organisation VO/1252), Xagħra Youth Centre
- First held: 6 February 1977 — the oldest road race in the Maltese Islands
- Certification: half marathon and 10K are AIMS-certified courses with Athletics Malta Gold Label status
- Registration closes: Saturday 24th April 2027 (online via RaceResult)
- Contact: info@rungozo.org

## 2027 race programme

All races start and finish in Xagħra Square, Gozo on Sunday, 25 April 2027.

| Race | Distance | Start | Eligibility | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gozo Half Marathon | 21.1km (13mi) | 7.30am | 17 years and over | 3 hours |
| Gozo 10K Race | 10km (6.21mi) | 7.40am | 16 years and over | 2 hours |
| Gozo 5K Race | 5km (3.11mi) | 8.00am | 13 years and over | — |
| Gozo 10K Walkathon | 10km | 7.40am | 16 years and over | 3 hours |
| Gozo 5K Walkathon | 5km | 8.00am | 16 years and over | — |
| Gozo Family 2K Run | 2km | 10.30am | All ages | — |
| Gozo Kids 2K Race | 2km | 10.30am | 8, 9, 10 11 & 12 years | — |
| Gozo Kids 900m Race | 900m | 10.30am | 4, 5, 6 & 7 years | — |

The half marathon and 10K are AIMS-certified courses with Athletics Malta Gold Label status.

## Entry fees (EUR)

| Race | Early bird | Normal | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gozo Half Marathon | €35 | €50 | €60 |
| Gozo 10K Race | €25 | €35 | €45 |
| Gozo 5K Race | €20 | €25 | €35 |

Fees for the 10K Walkathon, 5K Walkathon, Family 2K Run, Kids 2K Race, Kids 900m Race are confirmed closer to the event.

- Early-bird prices until Thursday 31st December 2026
- Normal prices from Friday 1st January 2027
- Late prices from Friday 26th March 2027
- Registration closes Saturday 24th April 2027

Entries include a finisher medal, goody bag, refreshments, free watermarked race photos and free shuttle buses in Gozo on race day; selected races include a technical t-shirt. Ferry crossings are not included.

## Race-day logistics (from the 2026 Race Info Pack)

- From Malta: take the 05:45 ferry from Ċirkewwa. A free shuttle leaves Mġarr Harbour ferry terminal for Xagħra Square on its arrival (06:30). The fast ferry from Valletta does not arrive in time for the race-morning shuttle.
- Return shuttles to the ferry leave Tempji bus stop, Xagħra at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30.
- Park & Ride from Ta' Xħajma: every 10 minutes from 06:30 to 07:20, and back every 15 minutes from 11:00 to 12:00. Parking in Xagħra is very limited and often unavailable on race morning.
- Half marathon pacers: 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10.
- Lead vehicles, police officers and the Emergency Response & Rescue Corps (ERRC) accompany every race.
- Water, Gatorade, fruit and nuts are served to everyone at the finish line.
- Award ceremony: 11:00 in Xagħra Square.

### Courses

**Gozo Half Marathon** — A single loop of north and west Gozo. From Xagħra Square the route drops to the coast at Marsalforn, follows the shoreline past Qbajjar, turns inland through Għasri, crosses to Victoria (Rabat) and climbs back up to finish in Xagħra Square.
- Kilometre markers and water stations roughly every 3 km
- Energy gels at the 8 km water station; Gatorade at the station around 11 km
- Toilets on the course in Marsalforn and Victoria
- Music points along the route
- Pacers for 1:40, 1:50, 2:00 and 2:10 finishes

**Gozo 10K Race** — Loops through the lanes north of Xagħra, descends the Marsalforn valley road towards Victoria, bottoms out at about 30 m on the edge of town and climbs back to finish in Xagħra Square, at about 140 m. Expect a long climb in the second half.
- Kilometre markers and water stations roughly every 3 km
- Water, showers, toilets and first aid at the Xagħra Square finish

**Gozo 5K Race** — Loops through the streets and country lanes around Xagħra, staying between about 100 m and 145 m above sea level, and finishes in Xagħra Square.
- Shares its route with the 5K Walkathon

### Rules

- Wear your race number on the front throughout the race — visible and not folded.
- The timing chip is on the back of the number; do not tamper with it.
- Elite athletes have priority at the front of the start.
- Walkathon participants gather behind the running group.
- Pushing other athletes to gain an advantage means immediate disqualification.

## Frequently asked questions

**When and where is the 2027 race?**
Il-Ġirja t'Għawdex 2027 takes place on Sunday, 25 April 2027. All races start and finish at Xagħra Square in Gozo, Malta.

**When does registration close?**
Registration closes on Saturday 24th April 2027. Early-bird prices apply until Thursday 31st December 2026, normal prices from Friday 1st January 2027 and late prices from Friday 26th March 2027.

**How and when do I collect my race number / bib?**
We'll email you with the details when bib collection is due. There will be collection days in Malta for runners living in Malta, and a collection day in Gozo for Gozitans and runners from overseas.

**Is the ferry from Malta included?**
No — you pay for your own ferry crossing from Malta. Once you arrive in Gozo, free shuttle buses take you from Mġarr Harbour to Xagħra Square on race morning and back to the harbour afterwards. Times will be published in the Race Info Pack closer to the event.

**What is the minimum age for each race?**
Half Marathon: 17+. 10K races: 16+. 5K Race: 13+. 5K and 10K Walkathons: 16+. Kids 2K Race: ages 8–12. Kids 900m Race: ages 4–7. Family 2K Run is open to all ages.

**What's included with my registration?**
Every participant gets a finisher medal, a technical race t-shirt (selected races), a goody bag, free refreshments, free race-day photos (low-resolution, watermarked), and free shuttle buses in Gozo on race day.

**Do I get the original high-resolution photos?**
Every entry includes free race-day photos in low-resolution, watermarked with our sponsor logos — perfect for social media. High-resolution, unmarked originals can be purchased directly from our photo system once the gallery is published.

**Can I get a refund or transfer my entry?**
Registration fees are non-refundable. Entry transfers between participants may be allowed up to a cut-off date — please contact us to request a transfer.

**What happens if the weather is bad?**
The race goes ahead in light rain. In the case of extreme weather conditions, organisers may delay or modify the event for participant safety. Any changes will be communicated through our website and social channels.

## History

- 1977: first edition on 6 February — the oldest road race in the Maltese Islands, inspired by Fr. Anton Refalo. Run twice that year.
- 1991: 13.1-mile format introduced at the 16th edition; 120 athletes.
- 1998: renamed the Gozo Half Marathon; 2 km and 4 km races added for younger athletes.
- 2017: about 700 athletes; 3-star European Athletics certification, a first for Malta.
- 2018: 1,274 athletes from 60 countries; Fair Play Project launched, €37,766 raised and 15 volunteers travelled to Guatemala.
- 2019: 10K awarded 5-star European Athletics certification; 1,439 athletes from 58 countries; first race expo in the Maltese Islands, at the Ġgantija Temples.
- 2023: 1,117 athletes from 40 countries; new 5K route; the organisation rebranded to Run Gozo and the race to il-Ġirja t'Għawdex.
- 2024: 1,315 athletes from 50 countries at the 49th edition; more female than male athletes for the first time.
- 2025: 50th edition, with a record 1,550+ registered athletes.
- 2026: 51st edition.
- 2027: 52nd edition, Sunday, 25 April 2027.

## Past half marathon winners (overall)

| Year | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Charlton Debono (1:16:30) | Karen Vella (1:35:56) |
| 2025 | Joseph Arundel (1:13:29) | Veronika Kersyte (1:36:56) |
| 2024 | Charlton Debono (1:18:16) | Marisa Muscat (1:39:58) |
| 2023 | Charlton Debono (1:16:07) | Jemima Farley (1:19:51) |
| 2022 | Aaron Mifsud (1:18:23) | Josann Attard Pulis (1:33:52) |
| 2019 | Pedro Antonio López de Haro (1:13:18) | Josann Attard Pulis (1:30:03) |
| 2018 | Nuradin Shifa Mahamede (1:15:25) | Josann Attard Pulis (1:31:25) |
| 2017 | Charlton Debono (1:17:16) | Oksana Riabova (1:33:49) |
| 2016 | Steve Chetcuti (1:17:47) | Josann Attard Pulis (1:27:32) |
| 2015 | Giacomo Fontanel (1:20:58) | Jacqueline Booker (1:39:28) |
| 2014 | Jonathan Atse Herrera (1:17:14) | Josann Attard Pulis (1:29:50) |
| 2013 | Drew Lang (1:18:04) | Jacqueline Booker (1:38:56) |
| 2012 | Aaron Mifsud (1:15:23) | Cecilia Fenech (1:36:37) |
| 2011 | Drew Lang (1:15:43) | Cecilia Fenech (1:31:43) |
| 2010 | Drew Lang (1:17:13) | Marisa Muscat (1:33:30) |
| 2009 | Johann Galea (1:16:54) | Marisa Muscat (1:34:06) |
| 2008 | Johann Galea (1:16:30) | Josianne Attard (1:34:54) |
| 2007 | Jonathan Balzan (1:14:09) | Carmen Hili (1:31:12) |
| 2006 | Charles Cilia (1:11:40) | Giselle Camilleri (1:28:26) |
| 2005 | Jimmy Sacco (1:17:06) | Gillian Grech (1:38:44) |
| 2004 | Andrew Grech (1:17:51) | Carmen Hili (1:29:16) |
| 2003 | Roderick Debono (1:21:51) | Carmen Hili (1:29:20) |
| 2002 | Charles Cilia (1:12:35) | Carmen Hili (1:31:22) |
| 2001 | Brian Magri (1:14:26) | Carmen Hili (1:37:40) |

Results by year (2001–2026): https://www.rungozo.org/ilgirjatghawdex/results
Photo galleries: 2025 https://girjatghawdex.photohawk.com/galleries/il-girja-tghawdex-2025; 2026 https://girjatghawdex.photohawk.com/galleries/run-gozo-2026

## Organisation

- Name: Run Gozo (Run Gozo Organisation)
- Voluntary organisation number: VO/1252
- Address: Xagħra Youth Centre, 28th April 1688 Street, Xagħra XRA 1031, Gozo, Malta
- Email: info@rungozo.org
- Social: https://www.facebook.com/rungozo, https://www.instagram.com/rungozo/, https://twitter.com/rungozo, https://www.linkedin.com/company/85840767