The 2026 IQEQ Easter Festival of Running bursts into life in Port Erin on Friday evening, boasting a record advance entry of 772 and a top-class field.

The 62nd edition promises to showcase running at its very best, set against a true festival atmosphere created by nearly 500 visiting competitors, most of whom are from university teams.

The IQEQ-sponsored 10-kilometre road race kicks off the weekend action on Port Erin Promenade at 6.45pm, with men and women starting together.

The scenic route takes in the stunning coastal stretch at Gansey before looping through Port St Mary and finishing back on Port Erin Promenade.

Saturday sees the Full Factory Winnerswear Peel Hill Races in the west of the island, with the men’s race starting at 2.15pm followed by the women over a slightly shorter course at 3.15pm.

The racing concludes on Sunday morning with the Outback five-kilometre race along Douglas Promenade. The women start at 10.30am followed by the men at 11.20am.

The race starts and finishes near the Sea Terminal, covering the full length of the promenade walkway.

Entries will be accepted on the day for each race, provided the maximum entry limit has not been reached.

The quality of the field is exceptional, with international-standard athletes mixing with runners of all levels.

Laura Dickinson was the leading local in the women's Peel Hill Race at last year's Easter Festival of Running and is entered again this weekend (Photo: Dave Kneen Photography)
Laura Dickinson was the leading local in the women's Peel Hill Race at last year's Easter Festival of Running and is entered again this weekend (Photo: Dave Kneen Photography) (Dave Kneen Photography)

Reigning women’s champion Rebecca Flaherty (Oxford University) returns this year after winning gold in the under-20s women’s race at the English National Cross-Country Championships in February.

She faces strong competition from several contenders, notably Niamh Bridson Hubbard (Cambridge University) who has a Manx grandfather.

This will be her eagerly-anticipated Isle of Man racing debut, having recently secured the bronze medal in the senior women’s race at the Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships.

Other names to watch in the women’s championship include Emily Ruane (Cambridge), Lucy Storey (Durham), Katie Lowery (Leeds) and Beth Ansell (Manchester).

The men’s championship looks wide open, with several athletes in close contention. Ritchie Gardiner (Leeds) impressed last year, but faces stiff competition from Patrick Roddy (Cambridge), Thomas Hilton and Angus Wright (Edinburgh), Jamie Hancock (Leeds) and others.

Among the local stars, Ollie Lockley will fancy his chances in the 10km race which is his sole race of the weekend. His personal best of 28m 29s is significantly faster than his opposition.

Cai Lewis, entered solely in the 5km, could be highly competitive with fresher legs on Sunday than most of his rivals.

Ryan Corrin and Corbyn Schade, competing in all three races, are likely to feature in the leading pack, while the Stennett brothers, Lucas and Harry - the latter making his festival debut - will relish the challenge.

In the women’s events, marathon specialist Christa Cain - despite racing well below her preferred distance in the 5km - should still challenge strongly.

The ever-consistent Dawn Atherton takes on the 10km race and veteran athlete extraordinaire Joanne Schade will compete in the 5km event.

Reports and photographs from the Easter Festival of Running will appear in next week’s Isle of Man Examiner and Manx Independent.

DAVID GRIFFITHS