Christian Varley, who began his sporting life as Mark Cavendish’s hottest rival on two wheels, achieved his first major victory on two legs on Sunday.

The 33-year-old from Onchan won the Microgaming-sponsored Isle of Man Marathon over two laps of an undulating course in the north of the island.

He completed the 26.2-mile distance in a time of 2hr 43min 58sec, more than five minutes clear of Tim Alexander of Surrey, with Mike Garrett of Manx Harriers third in a course pb.

Sophie Cullen, formerly of Onchan but now working and residing in Leeds, was the first woman in 14th place.

Jack Okell won the Half-Marathon over a single lap of the same Ramsey-based course.

His winning time of 1hr 16min 07sec gave him an advantage of 3m 49s over David Evans of Serpentine RC in London.

Orran Smith of Peel was third, triathlete Nigel Quaye fourth, and Kevin Harding fifth.

First woman was Sarah Louise Cumber of Halifax Harriers in 10th spot with 1:25.18. Best of a large field of local women was Megan Thomas of Onchan in 32nd spot with a time of 1:32.23.

The marathon and half-marathon were the first legs of this week’s No Rest for the Wicked Series. Round two was at Peel last evening, round three is a 10k at Ramsey this evening.

A report on the marathon appears in the Examiner. More on the half-marathon in Thursday’s Manx Independent.