Athletics: Simon Gawne claims third End to End Walk title

Sophie Watterson-Jones wins women's race and is third overall

Simon Gawne and Sophie Watterson-Jones have been crowned the respective men's and women's winners of this year's End To End Walk.

After covering nearly 40 miles of grueling terrain from the north to the south of the Island, Gawne secured the overall victory and his third title in the event, crossing the line at Cregneash in six hours, 34 minutes and 54 seconds.

His pace saw him finish more than 40 minutes clear of second-placed competitor, Chris Addy (seven hours, 15 minutes and 38 seconds).

Meanwhile, Watterson-Jones put in an outstanding display to not only be the first female finisher but also complete the course third overall in a time of seven hours, 16 minutes and 52 seconds.

Just over 11 minutes further back was the second female finisher, Lucy Langford (seven hours, 28 minutes) whilst Jayne Farquhar (seven hours, 53 minutes and nine seconds) rounded out the women's top three.

Separately, Watterson-Jones' time now makes her the seventh fastest women's walker since the meeting began using its current course in 2002.