LONG distance running legend Ron Hill will be the guest of honour at the 50th anniversary of the Isle of Man Easter Athletics Festival.
Ron, who is now 73, will return to the Island 40 years after making his last appearance.
He won gold medals in the marathon event at the European championships in Athens in 1969 and at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. In 1971 he was made an MBE and took part in the Tokyo and Munich Olympic Games in 1964 and 1972 respectively.
Ron hasn't missed a day of running since December 1964 and is arguably the most successful athlete to ever take part in the Easter Athletics Festival.
Organisers have said he is the "natural choice" as a guest of honour for the 50th anniversary of the festival.
Several previous winners from 1972 onwards are also set to line up for the three day festival which takes place over the Easter weekend.
Events comprise of a 10k road race on Good Friday (April 6), the Peel Hill race on Saturday (April 7) and a 5k road relay race on Douglas Promenade on Easter Sunday (April 8).
Entries close on March 24. Anyone who would like more information is asked to visit www.easterfestival.info.
