Race favourites strengthen lead

Race favourites Jonathan Balzan and Carmen Hili strengthened their positions as provisional leaders of the 2011 Malta International Challenge Marathon following the second leg of the three-day marathon in Birże-bbuġa, yesterday. The stage at the...

Race favourites Jonathan Balzan and Carmen Hili strengthened their positions as provisional leaders of the 2011 Malta International Challenge Marathon following the second leg of the three-day marathon in Birże-bbuġa, yesterday.

The stage at the seaside village was only six kilometres in distance but Balzan still cruised home a clear winner for the second day running in 20m 04secs.

He is now 93 seconds ahead overall of Johan Galea who was second again in 20.38.

Third-placed Simon Spiteri was 13 seconds slower than Galea.

Hili breasted the tape in 23.25 with Marisa Muscat behind in 24.57 and Silvana Camilleri third in 25.48.

Hili starts this morning’s arduous 25km run with a comfortable 3m 41sec lead over Muscat.

There were only three runners who dropped out yesterday, leaving 133 still in competition.

The third and final stage of the Challenge Marathon leaves St Paul’s Bay and concludes at City Gate, Valletta.

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