ONE of Britain’s top Olympic athletes of all time will present the major awards at tonight’s Scottish Widows Parish Walk presentation ceremony at the Villa Marina.

Roger Black MBE, winner of a silver medal in the 400m at the 1996 Olympics and winner of numerous gold medals in the 1990s at the World, Commonwealth and European championships, was on the Island at the weekend for the start of the event.

He also took part for the first 11 miles, walking alongside Martin Malone of Scottish Widows to the Santon check-in. Tonight he will speak to the large audience expected to gather at the Villa for the glitzy prize ceremony which will feature new special awards for all 133 finishers and big screen images of all the finishers and a slide show of shots from around the 85 miles route.

It was one of the hottest recorded Parish Walks in history. Temperature readings in support vehicles following walkers up the Sloc on Saturday afternoon soared to a blistering 28 degrees (82F) and it took its toll on lots of competitors.

Eventually, 133 walkers finished the 85 miles route within the allotted 24 hours, but some of the top walkers went out as a result of the exceptionally hot conditions, taking on so much water that they could not keep down essential foods. For many this resulted in cramp and injuries they would otherwise have avoided.

Amongst the big names who were expected to challenge for the top spots but didn’t complete the course were five times winner Robbie Callister who stopped at Lezayre. Other regular top finishers who went out included Alan Cowin, Mark Hempsall, Maurice Bellando, Andy Gosnell and Jo Revill.

A host of other regular tough customers who normally finish also didn’t complete the 85 miles as they normally do. These included Ray Hughes, Kevin Ford, Robbie Breadner, Bernie Ball, Peter Beighton, Peter Bettridge, David and James Brew, Jeff Black, George Cannell, David Clucas, Dudley Butt and Ian Dunbar.

Doors open this evening at the Villa Marina at 7pm.