There are likely to be 69 starters for the Tower Insurance Isle of Man Open 100-mile Walk in Castletown this weekend.

The 24-hour event will be based around the centre of the town, with the main 100-mile RWA championship event getting under way at 2pm on Saturday.

It includes a number of competitors from the near Continent (Holland, Belgium and France), plus the UK and Ireland.

The course will start and finish in the shadow of the Smelt monument in the main square and follow the road round the castle, past the Glue Pot public house, over the main harbour bridge and up Victoria Road, with a dead-turn before the roundabout, then back towards the harbour and past the nautical museum in Bridge Street, round the corner briefly.

A second 180-degree turn will bring the walkers back onto the quay, over the harbour bridge to the square via Castle Street, with a final turn outside the Civic Hall (Barracks Square).

Each complete lap is precisely one mile in length.

A supporting 20-mile British Masters race takes place on Sunday morning from 8am with 35 starters expected (including eight from the UK).

l Full report next week.