Setting the pace in 1993: Mike Gathercole (right) pulls along the field at Perelle in the last marathon staged locally. (0735792)

EIGHTEEN years have passed since the island saw its last full marathon.

Mike Gathercole, just short of his 50th birthday, led home the field of 25 in a time of 2hrs 50min. 59sec., the 15th fastest time over the distance by an islander.

Starting from Portelet at Rocquaine the route took in one full circle of the island’s main coast roads and, after hitting Portelet at 22 miles, continued a further four miles up the coast to finish at La Grande Mare.

So a nice flat introduction and finish to the race first introduced to Guernsey exactly 100 years ago, only then the start was not nearly so easy on the legs and lungs.

In fact, at a time when Le Val des Terres did not exist, the organisers could scarcely have chosen a more unfavourable start.

The first Guernsey marathon started, of all places, at the foot of Le Gouffre, outside the picturesque three-storey hotel that stood there at the time.

A little over 26 miles later it also finished there.

Earlier that year a full marathon had been staged only for one of the two competitors to withdraw at 15 miles with lacerated feet.

And, with his challenge gone, the remaining competitor, south of England 2-10-mile professional champion C. Gardiner, reached 20 miles and was declared the winner more than six miles short of the finishing line.