Run Gozo
Deliverables
Tech Used
Service
Project Year
Website
Run Gozo, organised by the Xaghra Youth Centre, is best known for hosting 'Il-Ġirja t’Għawdex' (formerly the Gozo Half Marathon), Malta's oldest road race, which began in 1977. Entirely volunteer-driven, the organisation has grown to become a structured platform that promotes sports and community involvement on the island. The organisation has achieved a number of firsts in the Maltese islands, including the first road race back in 1977, the first 3-star certified race in Malta in 2017 by European Athletics, the first 5-star certification by European Athletics in 2020, and the first running expo in 2020. This evolution reflects the organisation's commitment to high standards and community impact, as well as a deep-rooted passion for philanthropy. Over time, Run Gozo has transformed from a grassroots initiative into a celebrated and widely recognized event that continues to draw participants from across Malta and beyond.
The Challenge
Run Gozo aimed to create a refreshed digital presence that would honor Gozo’s cultural identity and growing event scope. They envisioned a rebranding exercise and a platform that would simplify race registration and applications, celebrate the local spirit, and serve as a lasting resource for the event’s 50th anniversary and beyond. Achieving this rebrand was no easy task; the balance between creating a modern, forward-looking brand identity and respecting the consistency and heritage of Malta’s oldest road race was essential. Threls Ltd was invited to help bring this vision to life.
Our Solution
Working closely with the Run Gozo committee, Threls conducted collaborative workshops to guide the rebranding, with some participants serving as both Threls employees and members of the organizing committee. The rebranding included the name change from ‘Gozo Half Marathon’ to ‘Il-Ġirja t’Għawdex,’ capturing the local reference and the event’s expanded categories. We developed a new logo for both the committee and the event, featuring Gozo’s iconic three hills and running motifs, encapsulating the island’s landscape and sporting spirit.
The website was redesigned from the ground up, with a visually engaging layout that reflects Gozo’s natural beauty, integrating elements of the terrain alongside running themes to reinforce the connection between the event and its location. We streamlined race applications by integrating with the race result platform My Race Result, providing a smooth experience for participants.
Conclusion
As a long-term partner, Threls continues to update the digital presence to meet the organization’s evolving needs, including preparations for the 50th anniversary in 2025. Our relationship with Run Gozo extends beyond software services, as many Threls employees actively volunteer in the community and serve on the event’s organizing committee. Our ongoing collaboration with Run Gozo exemplifies the partnership approach we value—investing in projects that have both a lasting social impact and a meaningful connection to the community.
