Greena, Hili retain lead before final stage

Poul Greena, of Denmark, and Malta's Carmen Hili yesterday retained the overall lead after the second stage of the 14th Malta International Challenge Marathon was held in Birzebbuga.

The second leg of the three-day marathon was the shortest leg in the programme with the 123 participating runners covering a six-kilometre course in the south of the island.

Greena went on to chalk up his second consecutive stage win in the men's marathon after crossing the finishing line in 19 minutes 43 seconds. He was eight seconds ahead of his direct rival, David Mansbridge. The Briton was second in 19:51.

Malta's Jonathan Balzan was again third when he clocked 20:07.

In the overall provisional standings, Greena has a combined time of 57:01, which means a 16-second advantage over Mansbridge ahead of today's decisive final stage, a 25km race from Bugibba to Valletta.

Balzan is third on 58:27 and stays on course to at least win a place on the podium.

Hili (24:33) entered the gantry third in the Birzebbuga stage yesterday behind Vibeke Hansen, of Denmark (24:18), and England's Sarah Williams (24:29).

Hili, of St Patrick's AC, retains the overall lead in the standings with a combined time of 1:10.21 - 24 seconds ahead of Williams and 31 seconds better off Hansen.

Hili boasts a good record over long distance races in Malta and, despite her slim lead, she still looks well on course to make it a third consecutive International Challenge Marathon honour this morning at City Gate, Valletta.