Sailors and Royal Marines beat their American counterparts on home turf when they romped to victory in the US Marine Corps marathon.

The RN/RM put a male and female side into the military marathon around the American capital of Washington DC.

The men won the team event by the largest winning margin in the event’s history – the combined time was more than one hour faster than their nearest rivals.

The Navy has been competing in the 26-mile race for the past 26 years, but the Americans have only scored victories over the Senior Service on just seven occasions.

The British female side was decimated by injuries – but they were only beaten by the narrowest of margins.

PO Lyndsay Gannon was the second woman home in 2hrs 58 mins – a great result after a two-year absence with a serious knee injury.

Other RN/RM runners included: 5th: Cpl Mark Croasdale (2h 30m); 8th: Cpl Brian Cole (2h 32m); 9th: Sgt Mark Goodridge (2h 32m); 12th: Lt Cdr Dai Roberts (2h 34m) – first Over 40; 14th: WO2 Steve Payne (2h 35m) – first over 45; 33rd: Mne Wayne Dashper (2h 49m).
Women’s race: 130th: PO Heidi Winn (3h 38m).