Norfolk's newest marathon race has been hailed a huge success

Norfolk's newest marathon race has been hailed a huge success.

The first Marriott's Way Trail Marathon and Half-Marathon took place on Sunday.

Full marathon runners set off from Aylsham Station at 9am while the half-marathon began at Whitwell Station at 10.30am.

Crowds cheered home the finishers of both races at Slouhgbottom Park in Norwich.

The full marathon was won by Chris Mickleburgh in a time of two hours, 50 minutes and 51 seconds, with the first finisher in the half-marathon Daniel Perry in one hour, 29 minutes and seven seconds.

Race director Kevin Marshall, who runs the company Positive Steps Fitness and Wellbeing, said: 'It's been brilliant. There was a good turnout and a good standard of running - for the winner to complete a trail marathon in under three hours is very impressive.

'He actually went the wrong way, at one point, so ended up running about 27 miles.'

The event was conceived after discussions with Norfolk County Council's trails team, to showcase some of the county's spectacular countryside.

Mr Marshall said: 'We had a real mix of runners, with some locals who knew the trail well and others from miles away who were visiting the county, which is good for the local economy.'

He added: 'There has been some great feedback with people really enjoying the route and there have been some nice words about the organisation of the event.

'Next year we will reverse the course and have it start in Norwich and finish in Aylsham.'