Youths that make us proud - Noel Formosa

On April 28, I took part in the Gozo Half Marathon, organised annually by the Xagħra Youth Centre in Gozo. The event attracted around 1,500 participants.

Claimed to be the oldest road race to be held in Malta, this was the 43rd edition of the Gozo Marathon, the brainchild of Dun (now Mgr) Anton Refalo who ran the village youth centre at the time.

Being relatively a beginner where running is concerned, this occasion proved to be an endurance test. Now, I am truly glad I decided to take part and proved capable of finishing the race in good time. Besides, it was also an opportunity to enjoy a first-hand experience of the impeccable way such an event is organised.

I am told that the organising committee of this event is all formed of youths themselves, mainly students hailing from the village of Xagħra who commute daily to the sister island of Malta for study or for work.

It was certainly a superhuman effort on the part of these youths who endeavoured in staging such an event, which no doubt entails lots of hard work, logistic planning and innumerable sacrifices.

One could soon tell, from the very start of the event, that the organising group was very well organised and determined.