Taggart's victory was his third in four Manx Fell League outings this year

Lloyd Taggart smashed the course record on his way to a commanding victory in the Ellan Vannin Fell Race on Sunday.

Taggart, who won the opening round of the English fell running championship earlier this month, finished the gruelling 12-mile race in 1:45.22.

Previous holder Simon Skillicorn, eight minutes down on Taggart, was also well inside his 2006 record time.

Taggart's victory was his third out of four outings in the Manx Fell League this year.

Paul Sheard, Peter Bradley and Paul Sykes completed the top five, with 44 runners finishing the full distance.

Jackie Lee took the ladies crown

He told the BBC: "It was the longest race we've had on the island this year, so it was really good to win. Slieau Dhoo and Slieau Freoaghane were challenging but the conditions were great.

"Simon had a brilliant race and it was really good that we were both inside the old record."

Jackie Lee was the leading lady on the day and 13th overall in 2:24.32.

The fifth round of the Manx series will be the Snaefell Fell Race on Saturday 2 April.

Both Taggart and Lee will travel to Ireland for the opening round of the British Fell Running Championships on Saturday 9 April.

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