A good field of at least 100 is expected to participate in the Manx Mountain Marathon this Saturday, with around 70 in the half-distance event.

Making a return to the former regular Easter slot, entries are encouraging for the main event, jointly sponsored by Bushy’s and Paragon Recruitment, which is heartening for organising club Manx Fell Runners.

Starting from St Paul’s Square, Ramsey at 8am, competitors in the main event will follow a 51km course over the island’s highest summits to finish at Bradda Glen, Port Erin.

With a race of this distance and terrain, many elements, not least the weather, will contribute to an individual’s success.

On paper, the men’s race seems wide open. Based on this year’s domestic league performances, former winners Ben Scott, Rob Sellors and Ian Gale will be looking to repeat their success but will have fierce competition from Tom Gibbs of Ambleside AC and Orran Smith (Western AC). Nigel Maddocks and Neil Brogan should also make the top 10.

From off-island, Paul Thompson of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers is a seven-time winner of the men’s race and will be competing in his 21st consecutive Manx Mountain Marathon. Club mate Simon Halliday finished sixth last year and will surely be looking to improve on that this time.

Eleanor Miklos gets stronger with every race and should certainly be one of the first women to finish. But she will have fierce competition from former winner Rosy Craine and from Eleanor Gawne. Tracey Dean of Staffordshire could be a strong contender as could Elissa Morris in her first full mountain marathon.

A near-record entry is predicted for the Half Manx Mountain Marathon, which starts from St John’s at 1pm.

The Apollo Blinds-sponsored race covers the 21.5km southern section of the full course, also finishing at Bradda Glen. This involves four summit checkpoints.

It is always a bit difficult to predict the outcome of the race as there are a number of runners from off-island who could well feature strongly.

Local interest must be headed by 2016 IoM Women’s Fell Race Champion Alice Forster who should be favourite in her class and might well push for a top-three finish overall. Southsider Sarah Curphey is also expected to run strongly on her home patch.

Parish Walk record-holder Richard Gerrard recorded a fine third place in 2017 and he is expected to produce a strong run again, as is race sponsor Chris Reynolds.

Registration will be in the old railway station car park from midday. The leading runner in the half is expected to be in Port Erin at around 3pm.

Callin/Wild have sponsored the T-shirts for the half.

Manx Fell Runners wishes to thank all the local landowners and DEFA for access.

l Full reports will appear in next week’s IoM Examiner and Manx Independent.