Despite some of the warmest conditions in the history of the event, 78 competitors managed to complete the gruelling Manx Mountain Marathon on Saturday.

A further 57 finished the Half Manx Mountain Marathon between St John’s and Port Erin.

The full distance event of 50.5 kilometres (a shade under 31 miles), started from Market Square in Ramsey at 8am.

By the time the leaders reached the top of North Barrule and the ridge to Clagh Ouyr, the temperature was already nudging 20C with little or no wind and cloudless skies.

Tom Cringle led by more than one minute at Snaefell, a lead he had more than doubled by the welcome shade of Injebreck more than 11 miles in.

But the next gruelling stretch to Greeba proved telling and as Cringle took a welcome slug of water at the side of the TT Course he had been caught by Ambleside AC’s Tom Gibbs.

The latter was one minute clear at the Kerrowgarrow Lane crossing and by the start of the long ascent of Slieau Whallian it was virtually all over for Cringle, who had been sick several times.

His place was taken by fellow local Joey Bond, having a cracking race in his MMM debut.

He ultimately finished fifth, an excellent result, overhauled in the final 10 miles by Tom Bush (Pennine Fell Runners) and the impressive Adam Huxham of Ballaugh who finished third in only his second attempt at the event.

Eleanor Miklos of the organising club was in control of the women’s race throughout, finishing a fine seventh overall.

l Fuller report in Thursday’s Manx Independent.