Balzan, Muscat retain lead in International Challenge

Jonathan Balzan and Marisa Muscat, both of St Patrick's AC, retained the provisional lead in this year's Malta International Challenge Marathon following the second stage run which was held yesterday in Birżebbuġa.

Balzan, winner last year, ran the six-kilometre race in 19 minutes 56 seconds. He now enjoys an overall lead of 78 seconds over second-placed Brian Magri ahead of today's third and final stage which starts from St Paul's Bay and finishes in Valletta, a distance of 25 kms.

Magri was second yesterday in 20:27 and Joseph Saliba, of Żurrieq Wolves, third in 20.49.

In the women's race, Muscat (25:04) again finished a few seconds in front of second-placed Caroline Ciappara (25:22), the Aloysians Allcomers runner. Pauline Vella, of St Patrick's, was third in 26.40.

At the end of the first two stages, Muscat's lead over Ciappara is 36 seconds, making today's third leg a decisive one to determine a winner in this category.