Jonathan Balzan and Josann Attard Pulis are the winners of the 2014 Nestle Malta International Challenge Marathon after winning the third and final stage yesterday.

Balzan emerged victorious in the gruelling 25km leg, which took participants from St Paul’s Bay to Freedom Square, Valletta, after crossing the finish line in one hour 34 minutes and 44 seconds.

The St Patrick’s runner finished on top of the overall standings in the men’s marathon with an accumulated time of two hours 34 minutes and three seconds... over three minutes ahead of his nearest challenger.

Brian Magri again had to settle for second place in yesterday’s stage when completing the distance in 1:36.43 to place second overall in 2:37.27.

Gozo’s Stefan Azzopardi placed third yesterday in 1:42.12 for a total time of 2:46.03 that earned him third place in the overall standings.

Attard Pulis was equally dominant in the women’s race as the Starmax runner made it three wins out of three when topping yesterday’s stage in 2:00.31. Caroline Ciappara, of Starmax, was second in 2:02.34 with Team Fabio’s Karen Amato placing third in 2:07.29.

In the overall standings, Attard Pulis finished as a clear-cut winner with an accumulated time of 3:14.58, well clear of second-placed Ciappara (3:19.20) and Amato who finished third on 3:28.03.

In the Team Relay category, Mellieħa Knights won the title after Andrew Grech topped yesterday’s final leg in 1:26.25.

The Knights, who also had Alan Camilleri and Ivan Cassar in their line-up, finished with a combined time of 2:30.24. Malta Mountain Running, formed by Melvin Mifsud, Gerald Grech and Charles Cilia, finished second overall in 2:36.43.

Green Miles, composed of Clive Gerada, Simon Spiteri and Matthew Cutajar, were third in 2:38.32.