Manx distance runner Sarah Astin delivered a record breaking performance in her marathon debut in Seville, Spain.
She crossed the finish line in an outstanding time of 2:35:16 to set a new Isle of Man women’s marathon record, pending official confirmation.
Her time surpasses the previous mark held by Christa Cain, shaving 15 seconds off the record set in Chicago last October.
Marathon Debut
Competing in a high-quality international field featuring many elite athletes, particularly from African nations, Astin finished an impressive 17th in the women’s race.
The former Manx Harriers athlete made a strong start, reaching the halfway point in 1:15:09 before maintaining consistent splits throughout the second half.
In a dramatic finish, it remained uncertain until the final stretch whether she would break the national record, but her determination saw her edge ahead of Cain’s previous best.
Major Achievement
The performance marks a remarkable debut over the classic 26.2-mile distance and adds another major achievement to Astin’s distinguished running career.
Originally from Onchan, she has steadily established herself as one of the Isle of Man’s leading endurance athletes.
Despite the historic achievement, the absence of the marathon from the programme at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be a disappointment, as both Astin and Cain would have been strong contenders on the international stage.
More Records Broken
In a fitting twist to the weekend’s events, Cain was also competing in Seville and delivered an excellent performance of her own, finishing second in the women’s 5km race with a personal best of 16:30.
The run not only demonstrated her continued class but also set a new Isle of Man women’s over-35 record.