Onchan runner smashes 11-year record at iconic Isle of Man endurance event
The 2026 Parish Walk will be remembered as a historic day for Isle of Man athletics. On Saturday, 20 June, local runner Callum Gawne made history by crossing the finish line in just 14 hours and 22 minutes, smashing a record that had stood for over a decade and claiming his second consecutive victory in the gruelling 85-mile challenge.
Gawne's impressive time broke Richard Gerrard's previous record of 14 hours and 39 minutes, set back in 2015. The Onchan resident had set his sights on breaking the 15-hour barrier, and he exceeded even that ambitious goal. After crossing the finish line around 10:30pm, Gawne spoke to Manx Radio about his remarkable achievement, cementing his place in Parish Walk history.
Vincent De Bontin of France finished in second place, with Simon Gawne completing the top three. In the women's race, Lorna Gleave and Samantha Bowden shared the honours, finishing together in just over 17 hours. Both winners expressed their delight at being able to complete the challenge as a pair.
The 2026 Parish Walk drew an impressive field of approximately 1,200 participants, all tackling the demanding 85-mile route across the Island. The last walker, Alex Townell, crossed the finish line just before 8am on Sunday morning, completing the course in 23 hours and 53 minutes. The event remains one of the Isle of Man's most iconic endurance challenges, attracting walkers of all abilities and showcasing the Island's stunning scenery and strong community spirit.
Source: Read full article on ManxRadio