This year the ever popular Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge will see a spectacular finish in Port Erin for the first time in its recenthistory. The 20th anniversary edition of the race will take place on Sunday September 13,with organisers introducing some exciting changes including moving the finish from Cregneash to the Lower Prom in Port Erin.The traditional start at the Point of Ayre remains, and the course will be largely the same as in recent years heading through Brandywell and the half-way point at St Johns, but more off-road sections are promised!
Exact details of the new route will be confirmed at a later date. To make it easier for spectators to get to the finish and make watching the End2End part of a great day out, Isle of Man Steam Railway will be running additional services to and from Port Erin.
Entries for the End2End open on February 14, and the final deadline isn’t until midnight on Saturday August 23 – but with the event limited to a maximum of 1,700 riders organisers say it’s advisable to sign up as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. The entry fee is ?40 per rider (?5 less than last year) and includes a commemorativetechnical tee-shirt. Entry plus transport (from Douglas to the start and from the finish back to Douglas) costs ?53 (also ?5 less than last year). Riders can also choose to do half the race distance and finish in St Johns. This costs ?30. Event sponsorsManx Telecom are again offering their mobile customers a ?5 discount on the entry fee whether with or without transport.
The team event has also been revamped with it now being open to teams of four riders for a combined fee of ?100. In previous years there have been rules about teams having to be made up of work colleagues – but this year any group of four can get together to ride. It’s run on a relay format with the winners being the team with the fastest combined time for all four riders. This makes it ideal for novice mountain bikers or those who don’t want to ride the full End2End distance.
All entries – both individual and team – must be made at www.manxe2e.orgwhich also has all the information you need about the event.
Kate Evans, Chairperson of the End2End organising committee, said:
“The Committee are already working on the preparations for the 2015 event and have several surprises up our sleeves involving both the route and the finish which we are hoping will be fairly spectacular. We are really hoping to see more first time entrants on the start line, whether they are competing over the half or full distance on their own or as part of a team.”
Ben Thomas – riding for the Mountain Trax/Vauxhall Motors Cycling Team – won the 2014 race in a time of 2hrs 44mins, ahead of his team mate Isaac Pucci, and Manxman Ed Perry from Team Bikestyle. Team Isle of Man 3LC.TV/Eurocars rider Leon Mazzone was fourth and won the under-23 title. Emma Craddock from the Casco/Southdowns Bikes team was the fastest woman in just over 3hrs 37mins.Manx Telecom became title sponsor for the End2End in 2013 as part of a three-year deal. The race began in 1996 and is now one of the Island’s most popular mass participation sporting and community events with many riders coming from overseas to take part.
Photo - A scene from the 2014 Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge.
