Colin Jackson, famous over short distances, started the runners

Former World Champion hurdler Colin Jackson fired the starting pistol at Bodedern Secondary School at 1000 BST.

Its 26.2 mile course passed through villages including Bryngwran, Engedi, Rhosneigr and Four Mile Bridge before finishing at the Treaddur Bay Hotel.

Olympic runner Tracey Morris, who grew up in Holyhead, was among the crowd watching the race.

Eddie Simpson won the race in a time of 2 hours 29 minutes and 42 seconds, in his first marathon.

"I am knackered now - I could do with a pint," he said at the finishing line.

"It was a good course, and I would do it again.

You might see me put on a pair of flat shoes and do a bit further than 110m Colin Jackson

"It has given me a great experience - I am delighted."

A fun run of three miles also took place, with prizes awarded to the top three finishers.

Marathon running on Anglesey was given a huge boost this year when Tracey Morris, who grew up in Holyhead, qualified for the Olympics.

Morris, who used to run for local club Cybi Striders, was the fastest British woman home in the 2004 London Marathon.

Morris, who has just started training again following her trip to Athens, attended the marathon, but did not run.

She said she hoped the marathon would prove popular.

"Hopefully, people will enjoy it and encourage frinds and family to do it," she said.

"I would love to come and run it."

Even Colin Jackson got into the spirit, hinting that he might have a go at the marathon distance before long.

Anglesey-bred Tracey Morris ran in the Olympics

"A few people have asked me to do the Great North Run, but I think you may as well do a full marathon," he said.

"You might see me put on a pair of flat shoes and do a bit further than 110m."

The Anglesey marathon was organised by Menter M�n, which arranged it to coincide with the Anglesey Oyster and Welsh Produce Festival at the Treaddur Bay Hotel.

The three-day festival, now in its fourth year, attracts around 3,000 visitors to the island.

Funding for Sunday's marathon was provided through European Leader+, the Welsh Assembly and the Welsh Development Agency.