Hili, Mazerski win Challenge opener

Carmen Hili and Bartosz Mazerski claimed the early honours of this year’s Malta International Challenge Marathon as the three-day 42km race, sponsored by Nestle, got underway with the first leg in Rabat yesterday.

A total of 111 runners were at the starting line just outside Mdina for an 11.195km stage that took them outside to neighbouring Dingli before concluding their exertions back at Rabat.

Hili, the 2011 winner, started her title defence in style after breasting the tape in 44 minutes and 18 seconds. The St Patrick’s AC runner opened a comfortable lead from second-placed Marthese Mercieca who made it a home almost four minutes later, crossing the finish line in 48 minutes 14 seconds.

Suzanne Weide, of The Netherlands, took third place in a time of 48 minutes 38 seconds.

Poland’s Mazerski was the first man to reach Rabat yesterday, having covered the distance in 36 minutes 11 seconds.

Russia’s Vladimir Sementsov took the runner-up spot in 37:04 and veteran David Mansbridge, winner of the inaugural Challenge Marathon way back in 1991, filled the other spot on the podium when placing third in 40:01.

Brian Magri was the first Maltese runner home after placing fourth in the men’s race.

A notable absentee in this year’s race was last year’s winner Jonathan Balzan.

Balzan has been a dominant figure at the Challenge Marathon in recent editions and won the title in each of the last four years.

Meanwhile, the race resumes today with a short six-kilometre second stage in Birżebbuġa.

The third and final leg will be held tomorrow when participants tackle the more demanding 25km distance from St Paul’s Bay to City Gate in Valletta.