Varley and Cullen take marathon honours

Eight marathons in eight days for Darran

Christian Varley and Sophie Cullen won yesterday’s Isle of Man Marathon, powered by Microgaming, in Ramsey.

Varley completed the route in a time of two hours, 43 minutes and 58 seconds from Tim Alexander of Kent (2.49.21) and local favourite Michael Garrett (2.52.20.).

Mark O’Brien, Rob Sellors and another visiting competitor, Marc Potter, completed the top six.

Another visiting athlete, Sophie Cullen, won the women’s race in a time of 3.39.33 from Rhian Evans (4.07.59) and Frances Sille (4.10.35).

Manx Harrier Jack Okell was the winner of the half marathon – 1.16.07 his time – from David Evans (1.19.56) and Orran Smth (1.20.03).

Sarah Louise Cumber from Halifax Harriers won the women’s half marathon (1.25.18) ahead of Katherine Wood (1.32.02) and Megan Thomas (1.32.23).

Darran Loader finished the event to complete eight marathons in eight days, raising funds for bowel cancer research in memory of his late dad Shawn and father in law Clive.