The Manx 100 has been confirmed as the National Marathon Championship for 2018 following a successful 2017 event on the Isle of Man. 

Organiser Nigel Morris was delighted with the decision and credited the hard work of local volunteers and emergency services for the success of the event.

“British Cycling is very happy to maintain the marathon championship event over the single lap 100km route,” he said.

“Ben Thomas, who finished second in 2017, concluded that with a few minor changes it would be as good as the best UCI Marathon events he competes in in Europe”.

These minor changes relate to having gates open en route and, as the event covers the majority of the Isle of Man in its single lap, having enough marshals to cover all gates is going to prove a challenge that the organising team are working on.  

The 2017 event was won by Tom Bell in five hours and 16 minutes from Ben Thomas who was 18 seconds back and Paul Oldham in third, a further couple of minutes adrift. 

In the women’s race, Amy Souter became British champion with a time of just over seven hours and Erica Moks and Katherine Simpson followed in second and third.

The 2018 event takes place on 29 July 2018 and will start once again at 06:30am from the iconic TT grandstand in the centre of Douglas.

Entries will open for the National Marathon Championship on 1 January 2018.