Mansbridge, Hili in line for overall success after second-stage win

David Mansbridge and Carmen Hili have strenghtened their chances of taking the overall honours in the 13th Gatorade Malta International Challenge Marathon after winning yesterday's second stage in Birzebbuga.

Both Mansbridge and Hili had won the opening stage of the Challenge Marathon held in Rabat on Friday. Yesterday they again reconfirmed their superiority in their respective categories by topping the 6K race.

In the men's class, Mansbridge completed the distance in 19:45 minutes, just four seconds ahead of second-placed Brian Magri. Jonathan Balzan was third in 20:18.

In the overall standings, the English runner has a commanding advantage of 1:28 minutes on Magri ahead of today's decisive 25km race. Balzan is third, seven seconds behind Magri.

Hili has also opened a good gap from her rivals in the women's class after winning yesterday's rather short race in 24:10.

She finished ahead of England's Gina Borley (24:28) and Cathryn Thomas of the US (24:52).

The St Patrick's AC runner is a good bet to retain the title she won last year. Hili is leading the women's category with a two-minute advantage over Thomas. Malta's Catherine Bonnici is third 2:59 minutes adrift of Hili.

The Challenge comes to a close this morning with the third and final stage when the athletes are engaged in a 25km race from St Paul's Bay to Valletta.

Today's race starts at 8 a.m.