Marathon in disarray as lead car goes wrong way

Feb 28, 2010, 18:57 GMT

Valletta, Malta - The Malta marathon was thrown into disarray on Sunday when the lead car took a wrong turning, prompting the two leading runners to drop out of the race.

Maltese athlete Jonathan Balzan and Dutchman Neals Strik were seen protesting loudly with the organizers and insisted that the result of the 25th edition of the marathon must be annulled.

Strik told reporters: 'After some five kilometres we realised the lead car had gone the wrong way and after seven kilometres we couldn't find the way any more. The police car also didn't know where to go. After 25km we decided to stop.'

Balzan said he was running at a fast pace to the extent that he could have broken his own personal record had he not been sent in the wrong direction.

'It's a disgrace. The result should be annulled,' he protested.

There was no comment from the organizers.

The first at the finish line was Moroccan Abdel Hhakimi el Fehi but the confusion was to such an extent that the winner's time was some eight minutes up from last year's edition.

Some 1,400 runners took part in the run.