There are record entries for this weekend’s series of races as popular event reaches notable milestone
The 60th IQEQ Isle of Man Easter Festival of Running is all set to celebrate its big landmark in style. When advance entries closed last Saturday, a remarkable entry of 634 had been received (354 men, 280 women), exceeding last year’s record advance entry by nearly 60. With entries also available on the days of the races, the three races will produce spectacular and colourful sights in Port Erin, Peel and Douglas.
The biggest race in terms of numbers is the opening IQEQ 10km road race on Good Friday evening, with men and women starting together. Due to Easter falling early this year, the start time is earlier than usual at 5.30pm on Port Erin Promenade in the south of the Island. It is a fast and very scenic course, which last year saw the first two sub 30-minute times ever run for 10km on Manx tarmac.
A slight change to the route last year has undoubtedly made the course slightly faster than before. A total of 50% of the top 100 finishers last year ran personal best times, and course records were set for both men and women. Scott Stirling with 29:38 and Alice Goodall with 33:05 are the course record-holders, but they will miss the event this year as they are both representing Great Britain in the World Cross-Country Championships in Belgrade on Saturday (March 30).
The Full Factory Winnerswear Peel Hill Races take place in the west of the Island on Easter Saturday afternoon, with the men’s race off at 2.15pm and the women’s race following one hour later at 3.15pm. The separate races allow those not in the race in progress to go onto the lower slopes of the hill to support, and the visiting university teams always produce an incredible atmosphere as they cheer all the competitors up the steep part of the ascent, and then provide a colourful guard of honour for the leading athletes on the return.
Peel Hill (IOM Festival)
The final racing action is the Outback 5km road race which takes place on a pan-flat course on Douglas Promenade walkway on Easter Sunday morning. The women go first at 10.30am followed by the men at 11.15am. Competitors should note that the clocks change overnight, giving them one hour less sleep on Saturday night!
The fourth event is the prize presentation and party which takes place at the Outback Sports Bar in Douglas on Easter Sunday evening, and is strictly ticket-only.
The Festival has always attracted top athletes from…
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