Russian Vladimir Sementsov underlined his status as one of the favourites for the 23rd Malta International Challenge Marathon, sponsored by Nestle Fitness, after winning the opening stage in Rabat, yesterday.

Sementsov, the runner-up last year, cruised to victory after covering the 11.195km distance in 36 minutes and 25 seconds. Veteran Charles Cilia was second, 39.32, and Italian Vincenzo Scuro followed in 40.13.

In all, there were 113 finishers yesterday after organisers reported a long list of drop-outs mainly due to injuries.

Carmen Hili stayed on course to make it a successive hat-trick of Challenge titles after breasting the tape first in 45.03.

Marthese Mercieca was second, 48.44, and Jacquelin Booker third in 50.35.

The top three in the women’s race at Rabat all hail from St Patrick’s AC.

The marathon continues today with a shorter 6km run in Birżebbuġa and wraps up with the demanding 25km race from St Paul’s Bay to Valletta tomorrow morning.

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