Jonathan Balzan and Hiroko Ogawa preserved their leadership in the overall standings of the Malta International Challenge Marathon after yesterday’s second stage in Birżebbuġa.

St Patrick runner Balzan claimed his second successive win in this year’s challenge when he topped the 6km run in Birżebbuġa in 20 minutes five seconds.

Brian Magri took second spot when finishing the race in 20.24 minutes, just four seconds faster than David Mansbridge, of England, who crossed the finish line in 20 minutes 28 seconds.

In the overall standings, Balzan is leading the way with a combined time of 58.56 minutes. The 2009 winner is on course to retain the title as he has a commanding one-minute lead over Mansbridge (59.56).

Mansbridge’s runner-up spot in the men’s challenge is under severe threat as he has only a one-second lead over Magri who will fancy his chances of overtaking the six-times winner in today’s final stage – a gruelling 25km run from St Paul’s Bay to Freedom Square, Valletta.

In the women’s race, Romania runner Ogawa is still leading the way despite finishing second in yesterday’s stage. Malta’s Joelle Cortis won yesterday’s leg in a time of 23 minutes 53 seconds with Ogawa placing a close second on 23.56. Spain’s Aurora Perez placed third on 24.43.

In the overall standings Ogawa leads the way with a combined time of one hour 11 minutes and five seconds. Cortis is second with a combined time of one hour 11 minutes and 35 seconds.