Around 500 athletes will gather for the 54th Isle of Man Easter Festival of Running, sponsored by Celton Manx, a three day event that includes a 10k road race, hill race and 4 x 5k road relay (5k race for women) in different parts of the Island.

The event has had something of a renaissance in recent years and attracts a number of “past and present” university teams who are joined by some UK club teams plus local runners too. Renowned for its informal atmosphere the Festival aims to provide a combination of competitive running, scenic courses and social activities to good standard club runners with a ?4500 prize fund available to those at the front-of the field.

With over 500 entries received the Festival has returned or is even exceeding number seen back in the 1980s. One particular change since then has been the increase in female participation, now accounting for nearly 40% of the total entry. Around 60% of competitors are visitors from off-Island.

The action starts in Port Erin on Friday for the Bushy’s 10k with an earlier than usual start at 17.30 due to light conditions prior to the start of British Summer Time.

The event moves onto Peel on Saturday afternoon for the famous Peel Hill Race, sponsored by Full Factory Winnerswear. The men start at 14.15 and women take centre stage for a slightly shorter race commencing at 15.05. If conditions are good expect a large crowd on the main climb to create their own Tour De France-style atmosphere.

The event concludes on Douglas Promenade with a 5k race for women at 10.15 and men’s 4 x 5k relay at 10.50 sponsored by The Outback.

Motorists, particularly those in the south of the Island on Friday evening are asked to take extra care over the weekend.

Organisers Manx Harriers are grateful to the Department of Economic Development for their continued support as well.

Photo - Courtesy of Bill Dale.