THE first-ever Purbeck Marathon was hailed a great success and first place went to Bournemouth’s Steve Way , who celebrated his first ever marathon victory.

The race was staged on Sunday over trails and pathways and featured a gruelling 2,500ft of climbing.

Steve Way, 38, of Bournemouth Athletic Club, came first with a time of 2 hours 50 minutes.

The runners started in Swanage Downs at 9.30am then headed west through Kimmeridge and the route passed by the Lulworth firing ranges, Creech, Corfe Castle and then back into Swanage.

Race Director Martin Payne, from Kimmeridge, said: “It went like clockwork and we already have a date of September 15 for next year.”

Profits go to the Swanage Carnival.