The entry list for this year’s Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge is now full with more than a month to go before the closing date. The race is limited to a maximum of 1,700 riders, and the last few places were snapped up last month even though the final entry deadline is not until midnight on August 24. The race takes place on September 8 and covers 46 miles from the Point of Ayre to Cregneash. Manx Telecom Marketing Director David Smith said he was delighted with the response from mountain bikers in the company’s first year sponsoring the race. The Island’s premier telecoms company has agreed a three year deal to sponsor the End2End beginning with the 2013 event.
The race has seen some epic battles in recent years, most notably the wheel to wheel duels between former Olympic mountain biker and four time winner Nick Craig, and Manxman Elliot Baxter who is a five times End2End winner and the reigning champion. Both men are on the 2013 start list, as is TT star Conor Cummins who does a lot of mountain biking as part of his fitness regime. There’s also an under-16s category which was won last year by Nick Craig’s son Tom who is returning to defend his title. Under-16s race half of the full distance. This year there’s a new prize - the Manx Telecom Merit Award - which will go to a rider who has overcome personal challenges to compete in the event.
Steve Honeybone, End2End committee chairman, welcomed news about the race being fully subscribed. He added that work was continuing on a new all-weather trail section of the course in the Aarasey Plantation. The section is mostly downhill with some technical sections, berms and small jumps and drainage which will be installed where required to add to its longevity. Race organisers are grateful for the help from volunteers who have already started work on the project, but they are keen to hear from more people who can give up a few hours of their free time. Trail building sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9.30pm, and on Saturdays from 8.30am to noon. Text Dan Wood on 471514 for confirmation of each trail building session. During construction organisers are appealing to mountain bikers not to ride this part of the course until notice is given about its completion.
The End2End Mountain Bike Challenge – which was first staged in 1996 - is the latest major event to be backed by Manx Telecom and follows the company’s announcement in 2012 of a three year deal to sponsor the Parish Walk. The End2End is not the company’s first cycling sponsorship - since 2008 it has backed the Manx Road Club which competes as Team Manx Telecom.
Photos showing work on the new all-weather trail section of the Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge course which is being constructed at Aarasey Plantation.
