Jonathan Balzan and Joelle Cortis both from St. Patrick’s Athletics Club yesterday won the 20th edition of the Malta International Challenge Marathon.

It was the fourth win for Balzan after having won in 2005, 2008 and last year’s edition.

Balzan placed first yesterday with a time of 1 hour 30 minutes and 32 seconds for an overall time of 2:29:28 followed by Johann Galea from the Mellieha Athletics Club with 2:32:02 and Brian Magri from Pembroke Athleta with 2:34:00.

Joelle Cortis placed first from the ladies with a run of 1 hour 49 minutes and 41 seconds yesterday for an overall time of 3:01:16 followed by Romanian Hiroko Ogawa with 3:02:12, four time winner Carmen Hili also from St Patrick’s Athletic Club was third with a time of 3:06:31.