Race History
The route was devised by celtic scholar George Broderick in 1966. George had the idea of walking over the hills from Ramsey in the north of the island to Port Erin in the south, beginning and ending at the town’s youth hostels.
The initial challenge was to complete the distance in under 10 hours, and in 1968 Tony Paine of East Grinstead made it to Port Erin youth hostel nine hours and fifty minutes after setting out from Ramsey. once the challenge had been proven possible, George Broderick held discussions with the various bodies to try and organise a race for the following year. Unfortunately, easter 1969 proved too much of a rush, so it was agreed easter 1970 would be the first running of the challenge.
May and Bill Lloyd, the wardens at Port Erin youth hostel, had an old trophy that they found lying in a cupboard, and, after a good polish, they presented it for the winner. The Lloyd trophy is still the premier award 33 years on.
74 entries set off in the inaugural race in arctic weather conditions. at one point the organisers were going to cancel the event, but the competitors were all keen to go. due to the pace of the runners who had entered the leaders arrived in Port Erin ahead of the expected schedule. The timekeeper had not arrived but luckily the wardens from the YMCA were there to record the winning time but only to the nearest minute. Only 12 competitors made it to the finish as the blizzard conditions forced the majority to retire.
In 1972 the start was moved to Ramsey’s market square and the finish to Bradda Glen café.
in 1973 the infamous climb at Fleshwick and Milner’s tower were included, previously the route went via Surby and Bradda east. Joss Naylor won for a second time although there was controversy as he did not ascend the climb at Fleshwick!
Three classes with different starting times were introduced in 1974, elite for runners under 6 hours, standard 6 to 7½ hours and walkers (although they were allowed to run), 7½ to 10½ hours.
In 1977 Arthur Jones took over as race secretary, a position he would hold with great distinction for 20 years.
There were route changes in 1987. Greeba summit was included instead of descending through the Beary. road sections at the Bungalow, St Johns and Round Table were made off road and the decent of Fleshwick followed the coastal path to the beach instead of cutting across a field.
In 1998 the course was lengthened in the Slieau Whallian area and the finish at the Cherry Orchard hotel.
In 2000 the elite and standard class were combined and the course length was reduced in the Greeba area and the finish in Port Erin moved to the Ocean Vastle hotel. Robert Baxter became the first veteran over 70 to complete the marathon, his 24th finish.
In 2001 the race was cancelled due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
In 2003 history was made when Ian Gale became the first local man to win.
In 2005 Jolanda Linshooten from holland became the first continental runner to win a category when she finished first lady.
In 2007 Lloyd Taggart became the second Manxman to win setting a course best time. the race is included in the UK ultra-running championships for the first time.
In 2011 Paul Thompson wins for the seventh time.
In 2012 the ascent of Lhiattne ny Beinnee was introduced and the win was taken again by Lloyd Taggart. A relay event was trialled successfully.
2013 saw a new chapter in the races history with route changes removing the Arrasey road section, re-branding of the main event towards ultra-distance athletes, and a new race “IOM Mountain Race” from Ramsey to St Johns to introduce a tough long fell race catering for those who may find the ultra a bit too demanding!
The 2014 Mountain Race reverted to a course similar to the previous half Manx Mountain Marathon, along the latter half of the ultra-route, therefore also avoiding the road section toward South Barrule.
In 2016 the marathon was abandoned at Snaefell due to a severe gale force head wind.
In 2017 the event reverted to it’s original name – Manx Mountain Marathon
In 2017 the route after the Garey Gate returned to the old route along the road past the mine chimney to South Barrule. For one year only the route after Slieu Whallian summit went further along the ridge then descended the track to Garey crossroads and along the road to Garey gate.
In 2018 the finish was moved to Bradda Glen cafe where it had been in 1997, which reduced the distance by 0.4 mile.
The covid-19 pandemic meant that there was no race in 2020, which should have been celebrated as the 50th centenary year. In 2021 the race was only open to local runners due to continued border restrictions.
As two races had been cancelled (2001 and 2020), the 50th race was celebrated in 2022. Visiting runners were able to return and the full race had 167 finishers while 109 runners completed the half distance.
