A cheerful group of runners makes their way through Torteval in yesterday’s Sportingbet Guernsey Marathon, the first to be held in Guernsey for 17 years. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0833648)

HUNDREDS of runners set off from Foote’s Lanes yesterday for the Sportingbet Guernsey Marathon.

Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon saw around 200 individual competitors off at 9am, 164 of whom were to finish the course.

Sixty-three teams of five got going 30 minutes later and one wheelchair user had set off at 8.30am to tackle the 26.2-mile course.

Marathon of Guernsey Club chairman Peter Head said it was a fantastic turnout.

‘I just can’t believe it. It’s so good to see all these runners together here in Guernsey.’

Mr Head said there were seven runners who had the potential to run under three hours – five men and two women.

In the end, States Works gardener Steve Dawes was first home with a time of two hours, 43 minutes and 54 seconds.

It is the first marathon in Guernsey for 17 years. All money raised will be split between Headway Guernsey, Hope for Guernsey and the Mines Awareness Trust.