The popular Isle of Wight Marathon returns this Sunday (October 6), with this year’s event celebrating women in running.

The 2024 IW Marathon marks the 60th anniversary of the first sub 3 hours 30 minutes women’s marathon record by Dale Grieg.

Runners will follow a route through Cowes, Gurnard, Rew Street, Porchfield, Shalfleet, Yarmouth, Thorley, Chessell and Shalfleet before returning to Porchfield and Cowes to the finish line.

The IW Marathon 2024 routeThe IW Marathon 2024 route (Image: Google) The race HQ, and start point, is at the IW Community Centre on Park Road, Cowes.

While all those who finish win a medal, there are extra prizes for those finishing first to fifth.

The race gets underway at 11am, with on-the-day cash-only entries available - £25 if you are affiliated with a running club, or £28 if you are unaffiliated.

The current course records are held by Ross Skelton, who set the men's fastest time at 2:28:30 and Charlie Metcalfe, who completed the course in 2:56:38, setting the bar for female participants.

Are you taking part? Tell us your story and send a photo to editor@iwcp.co.uk

Out of the many who will be taking part is Nicola Barton, who is running her first IW Marathon, fundraising for the Youth Trust.

Nicola said: “They've helped my daughter no end. Each session costs the charity £70, and they had over 5,000 sessions last year.

"It's so important to keep it going!”

David Saunders, who lives in Gloucestershire and visits the Island often, will also be running on Sunday.

David, who is 75 years old, took part in the marathon last year but collapsed at the 22-mile mark and was rushed to hospital after suffering from dehydration and a minor kidney malfunction.

Luckily, David, a seasoned runner of 40-plus years, recovered quickly and continued the rest of his holiday on the Island with his wife.

After initially deciding not to run another marathon, he changed his mind and decided to return to this year’s event, better prepared with more training and more water!

The County Press wishes Nicola, David and all the other runners at the 2024 IW Marathon the very best of luck!