Tough Mann, the annual competition that pitted competitors against a muddy, water-clogged 10km or 20km course, has been axed.

Organiser Kez Wardell said: ’It’s just got too big for a small team to manage, people have families and work commitments.

’We appealed last year for more volunteers or a big sponsor but we didn’t get that sponsor, because we wanted to do it right, ticket prices had to match the costs so by trying to build on the event, we maybe created a monster which became too big.

sacrificing

’So for the foreseeable future at least, we’ve had to knock it on the head, we sat down as a committee and decided we just can’t keep sacrificing family time and work and overtime to organise it.

’Its a shame but we’ll see what the future holds, maybe when all the kids are grown up bit more it might be back.’

The challenge saw individuals or teams of three tackle 25 obstacles and climb a total of 1,000ft through the Manx countryside at Ballamoar Farm in Ballaugh.

Once they finished this, competitors jumped into a bath filled with six tons of ice.

The announcement has left supporters and competitors devastated, with many taking to the event Facebook page, on a post that has been shared 50 times and has more than 155 comments to thank organisers, voice their disappointment and explain why they loved the annual event so much.

Caroline Marshall said: ’Thanks so much for having done so for many years, great event and a lot of enjoyment had by all. The effort and time that you have committed to do this is immense.’

Melanie Dowling commented: ’Well done for such a fantastic event these past years. I competed once and marshalled once, loved being part of it.’

David Greaves said: ’Everybody has done a amazing job running this over the years, well done team.’

Organisers of the event concluded: ’On behalf of the whole organising committee, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to Tough Mann since it began in 2013.

’The competitors, marshals, volunteers, supporters, landowners, sponsors and many more individuals and organisations too numerous to mention, we salute you all.

’Thank you for supporting such a great event, we’re sad that it has had to come to this point but we hope, like us, that you will all continue to cherish the many happy, muddy, memories from the last five years.’