Callum Gawne’s Parish Walk win over the weekend has been called one of the greatest performances ever seen in Manx sport.
Gawne completed the Parish in 14 hours 22 minutes and 45 seconds, beating Richard Gerrard’s long-standing record by an astonishing 18 minutes.
David Griffiths, who has covered athletics for many years, told Manx.News: “I think it’s one of the all-time great performances in the history of Manx sports. I think that sums it up really. It’s just absolutely phenomenal what Callum’s done.”
He later admitted he had not anticipated the record falling, saying: “I said categorically that the records will not be broken this year, so I’m definitely going to have to eat humble pie on that one.”
Callum set a hot pace from the start alongside French competitor Vincent De Bontin, who also delivered a strong performance.
The record had stood for nine years, with Griffiths noting: “Since Richard Gerrard set that record, the performances in that era were absolutely fantastic… we haven’t seen those sort of times for quite a long time, nearly a decade now.”
The achievement drew huge crowds across the course, with roadside supporters and garden parties cheering Gawne and all his fellow entrants on.