'I'm thrilled to bits,' said the first time winner at the finish line. 'Sometimes luck is on your side but I'm very, very happy.

>> Click here to view early stages of the Parish Walk photo slideshow
>> All pictures are available to buy at photostoday.co.uk

'Training hasn't stopped to be honest and it's paid off today - I'm delighted.'

His overall finish time was 15 hours 44 minutes 43 seconds, crossing the line a few seconds shy of 11.45pm.

>> Click here to view the Peel to Douglas section of the Parish Walk photo slideshow
>> All pictures are available to buy at photostoday.co.uk

Waddington's chance for victory materialised following the retirement of Sean Hands at Lezayre.

The Parish Walk record holder had seized the initiative between Rushen and Patrick and held an 18-minute lead at Andreas before retiring on 61 miles at Lezayre, allowing Waddington to inherit first place and stride to victory on Douglas promenade.

Five-times winner Robbie Callister finished second in 16:09:12, Maurice Bellando was third in 16:25:31 and Michael George fourth in 16:40:53.

Sue Biggart was the first woman home in fifth place in 16:42:09 and now holds six of the seven best times for a female Parish Walker.

A total of 121 walkers completed the 85-mile route, the last of which, David Whittam, arriving at the finish line at 7.54am, 23 hours 54 minutes and 7 seconds after setting off.

The event got under way at 8am on Saturday morning and, after a dry start, walkers made their way around the Isle of Man in persistent rain and, at times, strong winds.

Click the gallery above right to see pictures from the beginning of the event, a selection from Rushen and some taken during the awful conditions walkers were forced to endure on the Sloc, all captured by Isle of Man Newspapers photographer Mike Wade.

See how the race developed by visiting www.parishwalk.com

>> Your Shout: Parish Walk traffic

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Catch up with all the action and a comprehensive results section in next week's Isle of Man Examiner and Manx Independent.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE PARISH WALK
Tell us your stories, issue messages and comments on the event and let us know if you've dried out! Email newsviews@newsiom.co.im

YOUR COMMENTS

What a fantastic achievenent it was to all the finishers of the parish walk on such a foul day, everyone of them should be rewarded with a medal they throughally deserve one. i was following all day and the conditions wre really unbelievable.
GEOFF PORTER

CAN I JUST SAY WELL DONE TO DONNA GREGSON AND JANE SMITH ON GETTING TO JURBY!!! WHAT A RESULT FOR YOU 1ST EFFORT!!! LOVE AND CONGRATULATIONS
BEV, KELSIE AND DAVID X X X

What an achievement for all the Parish Walkers, conditions were horrendous. Special congratulations to Chris Reynolds a first time walker who finished in approx. 22 hours. Chris was walking for Hospice, and on the finishing line he pulled on a T.shirt, which was printed, ISABELLE WILL YOU MARRY ME. WOW.
From His Mum, BEV DIXON

What an utter waste of time and effort the Parish Walk is. It is a terrible drain on the Isle of Man and I think some MHK's should be answering some serious questions about whether this ridiculous event should ever take place again. It causes hold ups on the main roads, which is incredibly dangerous and it is using up valuable and expensive resources having to have the course manned by what seemed like the whole of the island's Police force whilst it is being run. And what about the terrible drain it must be on the emergency services too.
Before you start complaining, I didn't actually mean a single word of the above, the Parish Walk is a fantastic event and well organised. I was just pretending to be one of those people who always moan about the TT races and alike. Well done Bethany and all the others who took part.
GAZZA P, Douglas

My second time in the Parish Walk and managed to reach Peel both times. I'd just like to make one observation from my experience this year.
I was feeling sorry for myself up the sloc - cold, wet, tired etc. - when I looked up through the horizontal rain and spotted Chris Moon ahead of me, whom I later learned was the victim of a land mine (he is a leg and arm amputee). That really did give me the inspiration to crack on up the sloc and reach Peel - despite being in only my shorts and T-shirt in those horrendous conditions. But that was nothing compared to what Chris had to cope with. Even more remarkable when I learned yesterday that Chris completed the 85 miles. Brilliant!
JONATHAN CROSSLEY

What an amazing event to be part of thanks to the organisers, marshalls and everyone else who gives up so much time to make the Parish Walk such a great day! It saddens me, however, when so many people put so much effort into making sure the Parish Walk is such a huge success to see, yet again, so many walkers dropping their litter as they walk through the beautiful Manx countryside. In particular, there was a drinks station on the Sloc providing lucozade sport pouches and plenty of bins to put the empty pouches in and yet these were discarded all the way up the Sloc as far as the Round Table (where again plenty of bins were provided). Come on guys it's not hard to hold on to a bit of paper or put it in your pocket or even ask a support car driver to take it for you!
BEV BRODERICK

Fantastic event again, despite the weather, great organisation, great website and thanks to all the hard work of the committee and volunteers. But I do have one big gripe! How do we cut the number of back-up vehicles? In most long distance events, such as the London Marathon or Moon Walk, back-up vehicles are not allowed, so why should the Parish Walk be any different? Most walkers could manage as far as Rushen or Peel without back-up, as there are plenty of drinks stations, and locals living en route are generous with water and snacks. So come on, supporters, leave your cars at home, join in, or just support friends and family at certain points en route. Walkers do not want to walk through a fume-filled traffic jam all the way to Peel, and delays are being caused if emergency vehicles need to get through. Let's make it a traffic-free Parish Walk as far as Peel, before someone gets hurt.
SUE