With 192 confirmed entrants over all events it’s the most successful Manx 100 event to date. The draw of the British Marathon Champs has increased numbers, but from a start of 12 riders 6 years ago it’s a massive increase.
 
The HSBC British Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon Championship’s run over the 100km route has a quality field of who’s who in British Marathon endurance racing.  With Ben Thomas, current British Marathon Champion and End-to-End winner here to defend his crown, he may be hoping that his knowledge will give him an edge.  He will be tested with 3 peaks winner Paul Oldham, veteran endurance racer Ant White plus many other athletes, not forgetting a trio of Island Games locals, Elliott Baxter, Nick Corlett and Daniel Curtis who have entered for a chance to be crowned British Champion.
 
On the ladies side we have the whole of the Manx ladies Mountain Bike team entered and 6 UK endurance lady athletes.  You have to expect that local knowledge will really help Emma Atkinson, Emily Looker and Kirree Quayle to have a great chance to be crowned champion.
 
It’s not the only National jersey that is going to be won on Sunday though.  The inaugural Manx Mountain Bike Marathon Championship is being held on the brutal 100-mile route.  With riders such as Richard Rothwell, Keith Forysth, Phil Simcock from the UK endurance scene, it is going to be a tough 10 hour day for the best local riders such as Julian Corlett to compete against these specialists.
 
The Isle of Man is a fantastic location for cycling events, welcoming the HSBC Road National Championships on the Isle of Man last month and now the Mountain Bike Championships next weekend. MHK Laurence Skelly, Minister for Economic Development said: “We are very excited to welcome over 100 mountain bike riders from the UK and further afield to the Island and hope they enjoy the spectacular setting and varied terrain of the event.”
 
Nigel Morris (Organiser) states that the event could not happen without the continued support of a dedicated small group of volunteers, a growing number of marshals, St John Ambulance, Robinson’s (who are offering picnics for marshals and water / snacks to riders), Bikestyle and Eurocycles who are both helping with an E bike to sweep the route.  Nigel is very thankful to all the people and local businesses that have helped out on the event.
 
The event starts at 06:30 on Sunday the 30th.  With only one closed road from 06:30 to 07:00 it shouldn’t impact many locals from that perspective, but Nigel Morris, organizer, does request that road users take additional care around cyclists around the island.  Finally, if you see any Manx 100 arrows out, please do not move them as even one missing or turned arrow could ruin riders event and potentially send them down dangerous routes.