Richard Whitehead returns to the LifeStar Malta Marathon

Paralympic champion will start from Mdina for a second successive year

The 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon will welcome, for the second consecutive year, one of the world’s leading symbols of inclusive sport: British Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead, whose participation has also been made possible thanks to the support of Visit Malta.

A Paralympic gold medallist at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and world record holder in both the marathon and half marathon categories for double amputee athletes, Whitehead represents far more than an elite competitor. He is a global ambassador for inclusion and equality in sport.

The year 2025 was historic for him. After running the LifeStar Malta Marathon for the first time last February, on November 2 at the New York City Marathon, Whitehead completed his 100th official marathon, finishing in an outstanding 2:57:46 at an average pace of 4:12 per kilometre. It was an unprecedented milestone for a double throug-knee amputee athlete, marking 20 years of his professional career, celebrated by completing 20 marathons in 2025.

The circle closed symbolically in New York, where in 2004 he had run one of his first major marathons in 5 hours and 18 minutes.

His return to Malta further confirms the international stature and strong values of the LifeStar Malta Marathon, increasingly recognised as an event that combines sport, tourism and social inclusion.

“Richard perfectly embodies the spirit of our marathon,” said Malta Marathon Race Director Joe Micallef. “His presence for the second consecutive year is a source of great pride. He is an extraordinary athlete and, above all, an inspiration for people with disabilities and for everyone who believes that sport can break down barriers”.