You’ll have to be quick to get a discount on the entry fee for this year’s Tough Mann Adventure Challenge which this year is raising funds for the Tabitha’s Trust charity that helps families affected by child bereavement. For every entry, ?1 will be donated to the charity, and competitors are also being asked to help further by raising sponsorship.

The Tough Mann Adventure Challenge in association with Manx Telecom is a 10km obstacle course race which takes place on Saturday August 6 at Ballamoar Farm, Ballaugh. Entries must be made at www.toughmann.com and there’s a reduced fee of ?44 if you sign-up before January 31. All entrants will receive a commemorative tee-shirt and there’s a Bushy’s beer for all finishers aged 18 or over, or a soft drink for under 18s. From February 1 onwards, entries cost ?49. You can enter as an individual or in a team of three. For team entries there is a discount of ?3 per person – that means each team member can enter for ?41 before January 31, or ?46 from February 1 onwards. Organisers expect the maximum allocation of 750 competitors to be reached well before the final entry deadline at midnight on July 10.

The Tough Mann Challenge is open to all abilities with the idea being to complete the course by running, walking and crawling to get across the finish line – but for those who like to push themselves, knowing they are being timed provides an extra incentive.

Manx Telecom became the headline sponsor for the Tough Mann Adventure Challenge last year as part of a three year deal. Tough Mann began in 2013 and each year has attracted hundreds of competitors from on and off-Island wanting to take on the demanding 10km obstacle course race which includes 25 obstacles such as muddy bogs, rope scrambles and monkey bars.

Event organiser Kez Wardell commented: “Tough Mann gets better each year and the best advertisement we have for the event is the response from everyone who takes part. We had some great feedback again after this year’s race, and we can promise that the 2016 Tough Mann will be another day to remember. Someone requested more mud, so we will see what we can do about that one! But we have a few more surprises planned around the course next year – so keep a close eye on our Facebook page for teasers. One thing we can guarantee is that there will again be some amazing prizes up for grabs for the various categories, including the King and Queen of the Mountain prizes provided by Manx Telecom. With Tough Mann’s increasing popularity – and the fact that the 2016 entry deadline is a few weeks earlier than in previous years – we urge everyone who wants to be sure of their place to sign-up as soon as possible.”

Tough Mann is one of three major mass participations sports events which are sponsored by the Island’s leading communications company. Manx Telecom has sponsored the Parish Walk since 2012, and the End2End Mountain Bike Challenge since 2013. Tough Mann is also being supported by event partners including Paddy Power, Paragon Recruitment, Manx Independent Carriers, Bushy’s beer, Swagelok and visitisleofman.com.  

For more information go to www.toughmann.com where you will also find some fantastic videos of the 2015 event, or follow the event Facebook page. All competitors must be aged 16 or over on August 6, 2016 – photo ID will be required at signing on.

For more information about Tabitha’s Trust go to www.tabithastrust.com.  

Photo - Action from the 2015 Tough Mann Adventure Challenge in association with Manx Telecom.