Entries for the Microgaming Isle of Man Marathon and Half Marathon are now open.
The annual event, renowned for being one of the friendliest and most scenic marathons in the running calendar, this year will be held on Sunday 14th August. Entrants can run their preferred distance, either the full (26.2 mile) marathon, or half (13.1 mile) marathon. Held in Ramsey, the race route follows the seafront before heading in-land to cover the beautiful northern plains, to a high point of 259 feet, and ending at the Ballacloan Stadium. Marathon runners complete two laps of the circuit, whilst half marathon participants complete one. Walkers are also invited to compete in the half marathon event.
The marathon event will this year team up with the British Masters Athletic Federation (BMAF), an association of athletic clubs in Britain and Northern Ireland with over 5,000 members aged over 35. The race is being used for the BMAF’s 2016 Marathon Championships.
The half-marathon event, which features in the Runner’s World 50 Best UK Races for 2016 is, along with the marathon, growing year-on-year. In 2015 a record 415 participants crossed the finish line. The men’s marathon winner was Marcin Soszka of Saltaire Striders club, completing the course in 2:48:18, whilst the women’s marathon winner was Hephzibah Toby of Uckfield Runners, who crossed the line at 3:37:05. The half men’s event was won by Mark Dooley in 1:11:20, with Nikki Boyde, 2014 marathon winner, taking the 2015 women’s half marathon win with a time of 1:25:38.
Terry Bates, Chairman of Isle of Man Veteran Athletes’ Club, commented: “It is amazing to see the impact this event has on the running community, not just here on the island but also further afield. The Microgaming Isle of Man Marathon and Half Marathon is an internationally recognised event; this is evident in the fact that both the men’s and women’s 2015 marathon winners both travelled to the island to compete. With BMAF on board this year for the full marathon, we expect the event to be bigger than ever before, building on our previous years of success.”
Claire Coleman, Head of Microgaming PlayItForward, commented: “Heading into our fourth consecutive year of support, it is brilliant to see the event go from strength-to-strength. To be recognised by Runner’s World magazine as a half marathon not to be missed, is a fantastic achievement; it shows that the effort and hard work the marathon committee are putting in is paying off!”
To enter the Microgaming Isle of Man Marathon or Half Marathon, visit the event’s new site: isleofmanmarathon.com. Entry fees are ?23.40 for affiliated members and ?29.25 for non-affiliated members. Entries close Sunday 7th August 2016. All participants will receive a goodie bag, t-shirt, medal and most importantly the renowned buffet at Ballacloan Stadium to refuel afterwards!
For more information please email the marathon committee at iomvaclub@yahoo.co.uk or visit isleofmanmarathon.com.
Photo- 2015 Microgaming Marathon winners and runners up.
