Lloyd Taggart and Jackie Lee proved a winning double act at Easter Saturday's Okells Manx Mountain Marathon. Lloyd, together with partner Lee took the honours in their respective classes, smashing the course records on each count.

With this year's event included in the Vasque Ultra-Running Championship, entry numbers were boosted to 150 athletes taking up the challenge of the 31-mile race, over the hills from Ramsey to Port Erin. On the drive up over the Mountain Road to the start line, it was evident the conditions were not
quite as perfect as anticipated. A thick blanket of cloud clung to the Beinn-y-Phott to Carraghan ridge and over Clagh Ouyr, ironically Snaefell stood majestic in clear blue skies; quite a spectacular scene. By the time the race was underway visibility improved significantly and the skies were clear, showing the Island at its best.

It was apparent from the start that Taggart was on a mission, as he blasted into the lead, making light work of the tough initial climb up North Barrule. From thereon he was a one-man race, approaching the Black Hut almost three minutes ahead of last year's winner Paul Thompson. Following a skilful descent of Snaefell, Taggart built his lead over Thompson to four minutes at the Bungalow counter-checkpoint, with Calder Valley fell runner Adam Breaks and North Bingley Harrier Robin Lawrence a further two minutes adrift. Local fell running champion Simon Skillicorn was 30 seconds off the pace in fifth. At this early stage of the race, Lee was mixing it well at the front of the field, but obviously biding her time, lying 17th overall. Lee's nearest rival in the women's race and 2006 Half Mountain Marathon
Champion Hazel Jones was running well, within the top third of the field.

On the climb to Beinn-y-Phott, Breaks had pulled away from Lawrence and reeled in Thompson. The duo, lying second and third respectively, kept close company until Slieau Ruy, where Breaks once again took the initiative establishing a marginal gap from Thompson before the Greeba checkpoint.
Skillicorn rallied at this stage, making ground on Lawrence. Taggart was no where to be seen however, well over ten minutes ahead of the chasing field. Lee, amongst the competition of her male rivals, maintained an even pace to the summit of Slieau Whallian, as did Jones, albeit some 20 minutes adrift. On the dry, dusty and hot section to Garey Gate, Lee make up a fantastic four places to reach the counter-checkpoint in 13th place, Jones was now in the top 30.

Breaks continued to extend his lead over Thompson to three minutes at Garey Gate. Obviously feeling the effects of a recent chest infection, Skillicorn faded significantly on the Garey Gate to South Barrule section. Taggart however continued his conquest, establishing a massive 22-minute advantage at the South Barrule summit. With just over seven miles remaining it was not a case of who had won the race but by how much. Nonetheless, the remaining places were worth the effort with some new faces starting to make an impact namely, Andrew Brierley, who regularly competes Island running and mountain bike events, newcomers Daniel Gay and David Symons, Allen Smalls,
who finished third last year and the more experienced Bryan Carr.

As this chasing group, together with Breaks in second and Thompson in third, was working hard on the arduous Fleshwick section, Taggart was crossing the finish line to rapturous appreciation from the spectators. Deservedly so, as he significantly improved on Colin Donnelly's 2002 record by an incredible 17 minutes. Breaks finished a comfortable second. Unbeknown to Thompson, Gay was making a last ditch effort, however Thompson was safe in third, with Gay finishing fourth. As in 2006, Smalls outran Carr in the latter stages; they finished fifth and sixth respectively, with Carr securing the veteran 40 prize. Brierley was seventh.

In the women's race Lee continued to distance herself from nearest rival Jones, improving to 30 minutes at South Barrule. In turn Jones' nearest competitor Macclesfield Harrier Mandy Calvert was 30 minutes behind her, holding a top 50 place. The top three women continued to run an even pace
with the 30-minute margins remaining.

The spectators were delighted to see Lee cross the finish line in a superb ninth place overall. However, it took the supporters some time to realize that she had in fact annihilated the women's course record by almost 40 minutes. Jones in second also beat Karen Powell's 2003 record by just over 30 seconds, finishing 27th overall. In a fine 47th overall Calvert was third and first veteran 40.