Hands, who very nearly retired from the event in the first six hours, overcame problems with his back to complete the 100 mile distance shortly after 9am Sunday in a finishing time of 19 hours 16 minutes 12 seconds.

Visiting athlete Sandra Brown, the women's record holder for the Parish Walk, completed a unique achievement of her own when she crossed the line in second place 12m 35s behind the Manxman.

It was her 21st finish in an English 100-mile walk, making her the most successful British walker over the distance of all time. The record was previously held jointly with the late Hughie Neilson.

Local woman Sue Biggart was the first of the new Centurions in a fantastic third place with a time of 20:08.10.

Robbie Callister retired in the early hours of Sunday morning, having held on to second place for most of the early stages of the main event. Of the 42 finishers, precisely half were new Centurions (first time finishers over 100 miles inside 24 hours). There were 79 starters.

A further 99 walkers took part in the 20-mile Starlight Stroll, which started at 10 o'clock Saturday evening.

Enjoying perfect conditions and an excellent atmosphere, the race was led throughout by John Constandinou of Cyprus in a time of 3hr 20m 02s, who crossed the line more than 25min clear of veteran Western AC man Robbie Lambie, the former Commonwealth Games competitor.

Marie Jackson (nee Latham) was third and Jane Kennaugh fourth in front of early second place man Lee Cain.

A fuller report and pictures from the Isle of Man Veteran Athletes' Association promoted event will appear in Friday's Manx Independent.