THE rain may have soaked everyone who attended a town's first marathon but it certainly didn't dampen anyone's spirit. 

The Hoad Hill Marathon and Half Marathon took place today with the marathon runners beginning their journey at 9.30am and the half marathon runners at 10am. 

Both treks began and finished at Ford Park in Ulverston and the event was organised by Gaynor Prior, the event director for Pure Outdoor Events. 

She said: "The inspiration for organising this event came when I organised Cumbria Way Ultra last year. 

"I had a meeting with Jayne Kendall, the town clerk and she thought it would be nice to have a marathon in Ulverston.

"It's had an amazing response especially from the locals, it's been fantastic. 

"It could not have been a nicer welcome."

Around 300 people joined up to take on the half marathon with a further 170 tackling the full marathon course. 

The route included runners passing iconic scenery and areas such as Great Urswick, Birkrigg Common, the beautiful beaches of Morecambe Bay and of course the Sir John Barrow monument. 

The first runner to pass the finish line for the half marathon was 23-year-old Grant Johnson from Walney. 

He completed the course in one hour and 22 minutes. 

He said: "It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, the terrain goes from road to running on pebbles and it takes a lot out of your legs.

"It's a good local event and I'm hoping to see it back next year."

The first runner to pass the finish line for the marathon was Harry Stainton, 24, from Ulverston. 

He completed the course in three hours and seven minutes. 

He said: "It was a very tough route because it was very hilly but I loved it and plan on doing it again. 

"It's a brilliant local event and a really nice route."