Corbyn Schade and Christa Cain were the star performers in Sunday morning’s Peel to Douglas Trail Run, both claiming their first victories in the historic race as a record field of 124 competitors completed the course.

Organised by Manx Harriers and newly sponsored by Brendan Downey Construction Ltd, the event attracted the largest field in its 117-year history in all its various guises. The previous best was 104, when the event was held as a road race in 1985.

Schade produced an excellent performance to add his name to a roll of honour which stretches back to Stanley Karran, winner of the inaugural race in 1909.

The Western AC runner was involved in a close battle with Ryan Corrin throughout the early stages, with Corrin leading when the race reached Ballachurry Road after around four-and-a-half miles.

Harry Kneen was only a few strides behind Schade at that point, with Alan Corlett, Eamon Farrell and Nhlanhla Nzama also in contention.

Schade and Corrin remained together for around eight miles, when the former finally managed to establish a gap. He went on to win in 56 minutes 21 seconds, making him the fourth fastest competitor in the history of the trail course.

Corrin finished strongly in second place in 56.45. It was good to see the race dominated by young athletes in their early 20s.

Kneen showed that his considerable fell-running ability transfers equally well to the flatter trails, taking an excellent third place in 57.45, while 2018 winner Corlett - who has raced very little this year - was another impressive performer in fourth in 58.43.

Farrell was fifth in 58.57, followed by Mark Burman in 59.28 and Nzama in 1hr 00m 31s.

(L-r) Mark Burman with Matt Callister, Shaun McEntee and John Halligan during the early stages of Sunday's race. Burman led this group home in sixth place (Photo: John Watterson)
(L-r) Mark Burman with Matt Callister, Shaun McEntee and John Halligan during the early stages of Sunday's race. Burman led this group home in sixth place (Photo: John Watterson) (John Watterson)

Dave Bignell and Paul Atherton finished eighth and ninth respectively, with Matt Callister and Shaun McEntee completing the top 12.

The women’s race produced an outstanding performance from Christa Cain, who became only the second woman in the history of the event to break the hour.

Representing Best Athletics, she clocked 59.49 to finish seventh overall, only five seconds outside Rachael Franklin’s course record set in 2020.

It was a superb response from the Commonwealth Games athlete following a disappointing Great North Run by her exceptionally high standards the previous weekend.

Last year’s winner Kirsty Barber had to settle for second place this time, but ran an excellent 1:08.37 after starting steadily and gradually increasing the pace.

The top three men in the Peel to Douglas contest: overall winner Corbyn Schade is flanked by runner-up Ryan Corrin (left) and third-placed Harry Kneen (Photo: David Griffiths)
The top three men in the Peel to Douglas contest: overall winner Corbyn Schade is flanked by runner-up Ryan Corrin (left) and third-placed Harry Kneen (Photo: David Griffiths) (David Griffiths)

Becci Pate was third with a fine run in 1:09.21, only 44 seconds behind Barber, on her first appearance in competition since last November.

Joanne Schade was fourth in 1:10.51, a brilliant time by a vet 55 athlete. She was followed by Sammy Bowden in 1:11.31 and Laura Dickinson in 1:12.17.

The event also saw the introduction of a new club team competition, with the first three finishers from each club counting for the A team and the next three for the B team.

Western AC enjoyed a double success, winning both the men’s and women’s titles.

The top three women in last weekend's race: winner Christa Cain is flanked by runner-up Kirsty Barber (right) and third-placed Becci Pate (Photo: David Griffiths)
The top three women in last weekend's race: winner Christa Cain is flanked by runner-up Kirsty Barber (right) and third-placed Becci Pate (Photo: David Griffiths) (David Griffiths)

Schade, Bignell and Atherton combined to give Western the men’s title with 18 points, ahead of Manx Harriers A on 22 and Manx Fell Runners A on 27.

Western’s women’s team of Barber, Joanne Schade and Katie Lawrence won with 27 points, with Manx Harriers A second on 38.

The race concluded in glorious sunshine and the competitors then gathered at Manx Harriers clubhouse for the presentation. Corbyn Schade received the magnificent Karran Cup with its silver hallmark and Christa Cain the women’s shield.

There was a particularly poignant family connection to the presentation. Adey Collister, representing sponsors Brendan Downey Construction Ltd, is the grandson of the late Joe Cain who won the Peel to Douglas race in 1957.

Joe Cain, who passed away very recently, returned to the event 50 years later to present the 2007 trophy to John Halligan, making the new sponsorship an especially appropriate link with the race’s long history.

Grateful thanks go to event organiser Andy Fox and his team of officials and marshals for their hard work in putting on a memorable and record-breaking event.

RESULTS (top 25)

1, Corbyn Schade (WAC) 56:21; 2, Ryan Corrin (MH) 56:45; 3, Harry Kneen Dark (Peak Fell Runners) 57:45; 4, Alan Corlett (Salford Harriers) 58:43; 5, Eamon Farrell (Strabane AC) 58:57; 6, Mark Burman (MFR) 59:28; 7, Christa Cain (Best Athletics) 59:49; 8, Nhlanhla Fortune Nzama (MH) 1:00:31; 9, Dave Bignell (WAC) 1:01:45; 10, Paul Atherton (WAC) 1:01:46; 11, Matt Callister (MFR) 1:03:37; 12, Shaun McEntee (MFR) 1:03:52; 13, David James (U/A) 1:05:14; 14, John Halligan (MH) 1:05:37; 15, Ryan Hampson (MFR) 1:05:59; 16, Paul Sykes (U/A) 1:06:14; 17, Josh Smith (U/A) 1:06:58; 18, TJ Phair (U/A) 1:08:01; 19, Ollie Venables (MFR) 1:08:26; 20, Nik Cain (U/A) 1:08:34; 21, Kirsty Barber (WAC) 1:08:37; 22, Rebekah Pate (MFR) 1:09:21; 23, Paul Keen (U/A) 1:09:35; 24, Richard Highfield (NAC) 1:10:09; 25, Sam Anthony (U/A) 1:10:42.