A record number of entrants turned out for the sun-soaked 2024 edition of the Altenar Isle of Man Marathon and Half-Marathon on August 11.
Athletes faced warm conditions but were cheered on by a large crowd lining the streets of Ramsey, as the event continued to grow in popularity and prestige.
The course record in the half marathon was broken by two competitors during a thrilling race, while for many, simply completing the scenic but hilly route was the goal. Local runners were joined by participants from across the UK and beyond.
In addition to the race, Altenar also sponsors the Isle of Man Athletics Volunteer Reward Scheme. The importance of volunteers was clear, as a dedicated team helped with marshalling and manning the much-needed water stations.
A record 386 runners participated in the half marathon, which was won by Corrin Leeming in 1:07:11. Runner-up Ollie Lockley also finished under the previous course record, which had stood since 2020.
I’m pretty happy with that. It was quite hot with a headwind in the second half, but it was a good race. I hadn’t thought about the record because it’s quite tough on such a hilly course—it’s always undulating.
It’s been a great event with loads of people out running, and the weather makes it even better. It’s great to see so many people getting involved.
Corrin Leeming
In the women’s race, Dawn Atherton was an impressive winner, finishing two minutes and 40 seconds ahead of second-place Kirsty Barber.
While he may have had to settle for second place, Lockley reflected on the broader positives for the sport in his role as Isle of Man Athletics Association Development Officer.
From my running perspective, I was happy with my time—and the fact that I got beat by a local athlete is actually really encouraging. It shows we’ve got competition here, and that’s exactly what we need to elevate the top end of the sport.
As an event, it’s really encouraging to see so many runners doing well and so many people out watching and supporting. For such a small town and community, it feels electric to have so many people involved—and having more than 500 runners is amazing.
Altenar has been a huge help. Having an external sponsor is incredibly valuable as it elevates both the race and the sport as a whole. When we all collaborate, it can only benefit the sport.
The work we’ve done through the volunteer scheme highlights that. It’s a great way to include everyone—even those who are injured or unable to run. Whether it’s making tea or acting as a course marshal, there’s something for everyone, and it’s important to recognize that.
Historically, this race was always a local affair, but if we want it to grow, we need participants from all over the world. The fact that runners came from North America and Europe is fantastic.
I’ve had a lot of people reach out asking for their volunteer cards and stamps. The more stamps you get, the more rewards you earn—and it’s a small gesture that highlights their value. Without volunteers, these events wouldn’t happen. We’re really grateful and hopeful that this continues to grow.
The marathon was won by Sam Jones, who completed a rare double, having already taken victory in the Manx Mountain Marathon in March. The women’s marathon title went to Molly Whitehall.
Altenar’s CFO John Quaye was among the marathon finishers and also shared his thoughts on another successful staging of the event.
This is an event we truly enjoy. Being able to sponsor it and support its continued success is something we’re extremely proud of. A tremendous amount of effort goes into staging it, and Mo Kelly and the team are practically planning the next year’s edition the moment the last finisher crosses the line.
Each year, we try to add something new—like this year’s medals—and we’ll soon launch an updated website, which we hope will help make 2025 even bigger and better.
Altenar’s CFO John Quaye
