Athletics: 2023 Syd Quirk Half Marathon to take place today

Last year's event saw closest finish in history at the front

The 2023 Syd Quirk Half Marathon is due to take place in the South of the Island this morning (19 November).

In previous years the event has seen hundreds of participants take part in both the running and walking events over half-marathon distance.

Demand for this year's competition has once again been high - in September the Isle of Man Veteran Athletes' Club (IOMVAC) had to close entries just nine days after they opened due to the amount of interest.

First and second-placed finishers from last year's event - Sam Jones and Orran Smith respectively - are expected to be involved again after being involved in a very close finish in 2022 where the duo were separated by just six seconds seeing Jones take victory.

The half-marathon walk will begin this morning at 8am, followed by half-marathon runners expected to take two hours 15 minutes or more to complete the event at 8.15am.

At 8.30am, runners expected to finish in under two hours 15 minutes will set off - this class will also incorporate the Isle of Man Half-Marathon Championships.