The 2024 MFX End-to-End Walk will be staged on Sunday, 15th September, with the opening date for entries commencing from Monday 1st April, event organisers have announced.
The expectations are that this year’s End-to-End could be one of the biggest in the 60 year-plus history of the race.
The revitalised 2023 event attracted nearly 300 entries – as result of a new three-year sponsorship deal with MFX, the Isle of Man-based international payments and currency management specialists.
Race organisers, Isle of Man Veterans Athletics, are confident that competitor numbers will be higher still, this time around.
Contested over a challenging 39.22-mile course, starting at the Point of Ayre and finishing at The Sound, the End-to-End is regarded as one of the Island’s premier competitive walking events. Open to individuals, as well as teams of three (men’s, ladies and mixed categories), the race is broken down into age-groups – for under 20s through to over 70s. Competitors have 10 hours 30 minutes to complete the course.
The 2023 End-to-End was won by Simon Gawne, in a time of 6 hr 40 35 secs. The first woman home was Lorna Gleave (7 hrs 32 mins 23 secs).
MFX Managing Director, May Hooper, an enthusiastic supporter of the End-to End, who finished joint 31st in 2023, said she was delighted that the company was once again sponsoring the race.
“Last year’s End-to-End Walk was seen as a big success, thanks to the huge efforts of the organising committee and we are determined to build on this for the 2024 event,” she said. “There were many first-time entrants in 2023 and this year we want to encourage participation from even more Islanders and walking enthusiasts coming from further afield.”
She added: “It’s a great way to test yourself against the clock but also to take in the wonderful Manx countryside along the way.”
Race Secretary, Tony Mackintosh, commented: “We are really excited to be teaming up once again with MFX, to ensure that the 2024 End-to-End is even better supported than last year. It would be great to see even more finishers making it to The Sound.
“The race is open to walkers of all abilities and age. With six months to prepare before the big day, this should leave everyone plenty of time to train and get up to speed,” he continued.
The End-to-End combines flatter and undulating stretches from the Point of Ayre to Peel, followed by the tough and challenging climbs heading from there to the Sound. Starting at 8.00am, walkers must reach certain cut off times to the Cronk, Peel and Dalby, to keep them inside the allotted 6.30 pm completion time.
The registration fee for the 2024 MFX End-to-End is £30 for all entries received between 1st April and 1st August. After that date, it increases to £35. Closing date for entries is 1st September.
For further race information, go to the endtoend.org website or the MFX Limited End-to-End Facebook page www.facebook.com/mfxlim