The annual Isle of Man Easter Festival of Running, supported by Celton Manx, begins on Friday. The event is also supported by the Department of Economic Development and promoted by Manx Harriers. It promises to be the biggest and best Festival since the heyday of the event in the 1980s, with a bumper entry of 386 being received in advance. Competitors may still enter on the days of the races for an extra ?2 per race.
At least 250 visiting athletes will be competing, with huge entries from university running clubs, particularly Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and Cambridge. This will create a spectacular and colourful scene. There has been an increase in local entries too, with high hopes that individuals and club teams will give the visitors a real challenge this year. Athletes such as Kevin Loundes, Ollie Lockley, Lloyd Taggart, Rachael Franklin and others are expected to go well.
The Festival begins on Good Friday evening with the 10 kilometre road race supported by Bushy’s. This race is held on a scenic route in the Port Erin and Port St Mary area starting at 7pm. The race starts close to Port Erin Breakwater, and finishes outside the former Marine Biological Station. Motorists in the south of the island are asked to take extra care on Friday evening, from around 6.30pm to 8.15pm.
On Saturday afternoon the action moves to Peel for the iconic Hill Race, with its stunning views and lung bursting climbs. The start and finish is outside the House of Manannan. The 4 mile men’s race starts at 2.15pm, the 3-mile women’s race at 3.05pm.
Racing concludes on Douglas Promenade on Sunday morning with the women’s 5k road race at 10.15 followed by the men’s 4x5k relay race at 10.50. These races are supported by The Outback Sports Bar and Nightclub. The organisers will endeavour to ensure that any entrants not already part of a team in the men’s relay will be placed in a composite team. Race registration is in the Sea Terminal.
Competitors taking part on Good Friday are reminded that race registration takes place at Rushen FC clubhouse (Croit Lowey) between 16.30 and 18.30, and you should park in the upper part of the village and not on the promenade. There are usually a large number of entries on the night and the organisers are hopeful of a field of up to 400 competitors.
For more information go to the Festival website www.easterfestival.info.
