About 3,000 Catlin End-to-End participants from “every walk of life” walked, cycled and ran to cover the length of the Island for charity, while West End residents turned the final stretch into an open-air party.

“We got a very healthy turnout — we’re still counting but we think the numbers were comparable to last year’s, which we’re delighted by,” said Anne Mello, chairman of the Catlin End-to-End Charitable Trust.

Tallying the donations for the 28th annual event will take until June as funds continue coming in, along with matching donations from companies.

Family service charities were chosen as this year’s beneficiaries, in recognition of their significance during tough economic times.

The weather for Saturday’s End-to-End did not disappoint: bright skies came with a welcome breeze — the paddle boarding went ahead to great success, while the swimming is to be held this Friday at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, 5.30pm, from the steps of 1609.

“The wind at the West End helped blow participants into Dockyard,” Ms Mello said.

“Spirits were very high. All the way from Somerset it was a spectators’ party.”

So much music was playing after Watford Bridge that one visitor danced the rest of the way to Dockyard, she added.

Participants in the 24.1-mile walk, many in costume, ranged from Gombey troupes to Governor George Fergusson with his wife, Margaret, and an America’s Cup contingent.

Asked what had brought him out for the third year running, cyclist Van Dyke Bean was initially at a loss for words.

“Man, I don’t know how to explain — it’s a week of just anticipating the excitement of going out on the road for the End-to-End,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“For me, it’s just about being with friends.

“We’re all busy people, we work a lot, and this is just a good time to get together and do something nice for charity. I’m big on philanthropy.”

Mr Bean was out as part of a seven-member team dubbed “The Rum and the Restless” — now in their fifth year taking part. Stopping for a water break on his bicycle, Peter Smith of the 15-strong Team Lunch remarked appreciatively: “The wind’s in our faces this year.”

Team Lunch pride themselves on a leisurely approach to the End-to-End: accompanied by their support car, the Lunch Wagon, they planned to stop at the Swizzle Inn in Warwick — not surprisingly, for lunch.

“Some walkers beat us,” Mr Smith said, unfazed.

“The youngest person on the team is 8; the oldest is 60. We’ve got a good range.”

There is always good senior representation for the End-to-End: stalwart Joan Dismont, 85, vowed to set off as usual from St George, with her daughter, Michelle, to help her over the hills.

The route comes with challenges: asked how she was faring, fifth-time participant Treavina Davis laughed. “I’m dying,” she said. “I’m not up to those hills. But every year, I suffer. I like it for the community — it’s something nice to do, something different.”

Her boyfriend “King Size” had been enrolled to accompany her for his first time on the End-to-End. “It’s liberating!” he said, wiping the sweat from his face.

Tutus, ponchos and masks make the End-to-End as much a festive as an endurance event, and the Angry Birds were sweating it out as well — although Michael Veale, taking part for the eighth year, declared himself comfortable in his costume, while others in the entourage fanned their faces.

“It’s wonderful, a true community event; everybody gets in on it,” Mr Veale said. “We used to race, but our team decided to go slower this year.”

Pulling up along South Road for a break, cyclist Ben was part of a convoy that included the Catlin team, and towing his son, Oslo, in a buggy while daughter Indigo cycled along.

“I do it every year; this is my fourth time,” he said. “Always by bike, always with the kids. It’s great for the community spirit — there are no chicken outfits, but we have the Angry Birds, and the best thing about this year is the buggy didn’t break down.”

Bermuda’s Emerging Professionals teamed up with Bermuda Ocean Explorers and Shore Savers to hand out cold, sliced oranges, water and encouragement at the rest stop as participants streamed past.

“This is my third year doing this,” said Bermuda Ocean Explorers founder Weldon Wade. “Every year’s really good. We seem to be blessed with phenomenal weather.”

It was billed as a leave-no-traces event and the team were taking care not to hand out cups. Most participants brought their own bottles to keep the route clean.

Organisers praised the enthusiasm of water stop volunteers, plus the help of marshals along with the Bermuda Police Service, and Marine and Ports who helped with Dockyard transport. At Boaz Island, close to the finish, Platinum sponsor The Royal Gazette kept a Hawaiian-theme barbecue with DJ going throughout the day.

The End-to-End is a significant event in the charity calendar, mustering total of $307,000 for 13 charities last year. This year’s donations go to Friends of Hospice, Family Centre, The Eliza DoLittle Society and YouthNet, with all funds remaining on the Island.