THE Island's Easter Athletics Festival attracted more than 200 competitors from across the British Isles, over the Easter Weekend.
The weather held out for the three day festival of events which started on Friday, April 22 and culminated in a sun-soaked relay race on Douglas Promenade on Easter Sunday.
Dave Ronan, one of the organisers from the Manx Harriers, said: "It was a fantastic weekend. The weather was near perfect for every event and the support from local spectators and our volunteer marshals made a real difference.
"Most important of all, the competitors who travelled to the Island thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There was some great competition but they also found plenty of time to enjoy the social side of the festival.
"The Isle of Man Athletics Festival has managed to survive for almost 50 years and this year showed that it is still extremely popular. I'm told that all the visiting teams - and a few more - are already making their plans to come back for the 50th anniversary in 2012.
"It will be a very special year for us and we intend to make it a memorable occasion. We're hoping for another big number of visiting athletes to join in the racing - and also to simply enjoy the Manx hospitality and the beautiful Isle of Man."
The outstanding runners who travelled to the Isle of Man for the festival were Andy Greenleaf of Westminster AC and Emma Raven of Leeds DOSS.
Andy won Friday's opening 10km event in Port Erin, finished third in the Peel Hill Race on Easter Saturday and second in Easter Sunday's five km event on Douglas promenade.
Emma Raven showed her class by winning all three of the women’s events ahead of runner up Katie Good from Manchester University and Claire Day of Cambridge Greyhounds.
Runner up in the men's individual category was Chris Busalleh from Leeds DOSS who finished second to Andy Greenleaf twice but won Easter Sunday's five km race. Third individual was Liam White of Hercules Wimbledon AC.
The top Isle of Man runner was Martin Malone who finished a fine 11th overall. Second best Manxman was Mike Garrett in 19th position overall.
Competitors of all ages enjoyed the three events and many characters also joined in, including three girls who ran the 5km race with their legs tied together and one man who juggled three oranges for the entire race.
Preparations have already started for next year's special anniversary of the event - the 50th Easter Athletics Festival to be held in the Isle of Man.
A spokesman for Isle of Man Tourism said: "It's an opportunity to celebrate the success of the event over 50 years and we extend an invitation to all athletes to come to the Isle of Man next Easter and join in one of the best events on Britain's athletics calendar."
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