Mansbridge returns
Hili looks to make it five in a row
The 16th Malta International Challenge Marathon, spread over three days, gets underway this afternoon with the first stage in Rabat.
Around 90 runners have registered to take part with the biggest contingent being formed by local runners. Race Director Barry Whitmore told the media this week that 40 runners in the entry list are from abroad. The foreigners hail from eight countries, namely, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Scotland and Wales.
Leading Malta's charge will be Carmen Hili. This year, the St Patrick's AC runner is bidding to make it five wins on the trot.
Hili has been the top female in the Challenge since 2002 and will be relishing the prospect of extending her dominance with another victory next Sunday in Valletta.
Last year, Hili completed the three legs in 2:58.43 overall. England's Charmaine Scribbins was second, 3:13.11, and Marica Micallef, also of St Patrick's, third in 3:16.01.
Jonathan Balzan became the first Maltese athlete to win the Challenge last year but is not expected to defend his title this week. Malta's hopes this time round rest on Peter Azzopardi, Drew Lang and Jimmy Sacco.
However, the leading favourite is David Mansbridge who returns after skipping the 2005 race. The Briton has an excellent record and won the Challenge four times including the first one way back in 1991.
The race records belong to Welshman Dale Rixon (2:15.49 - 1992) and Slovenia's Helena Javornik (2:37.34 - 1993).
Today's first stage starts near Mdina Gardens. Runners will be engaged in an 11.195km run, starting at 1 p.m. A 6km run is scheduled for tomorrow at Birzebbuga before the third and final stage on Sunday - a 25km leg from St Paul's Bay to Freedom Square, Valletta.