The 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon will welcome British Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead for the second consecutive year.
The LifeStar Malta Marathon continues to attract international athletes, with Richard Whitehead confirmed for the 2026 edition. His return underlines the event’s ongoing focus on sport and inclusion.
Richard Whitehead won Paralympic gold medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. He also holds world records in the marathon and half marathon for double amputee athletes. Over the course of his career, he has become associated with initiatives promoting equality and access in sport.
In November 2025, Whitehead completed his 100th official marathon at the New York City Marathon. He finished the race in 2 hours 57 minutes and 46 seconds, maintaining an average pace of 4 minutes and 12 seconds per kilometre. The milestone marked 20 years since he began competing in professional distance running. During 2025, he completed 20 marathons to coincide with that anniversary.
Whitehead previously ran one of his early major marathons in New York in 2004, recording a time of 5 hours and 18 minutes. His return to Malta follows his participation in the 2025 LifeStar Malta Marathon.
The LifeStar Malta Marathon has developed its profile as a sporting event that connects athletic performance with tourism and social inclusion. Organisers state that Whitehead’s presence reflects these principles.
Malta Marathon Race Director Joe Micallef said that Whitehead represents the values associated with the event and noted that his participation for a second year is significant for the marathon.
The 41st edition of the LifeStar Malta Marathon is expected to attract local and international runners, continuing its position within Malta’s annual sporting calendar.
