A maximum of 400 competitors have entered for this Sunday’s Haldane Fisher-sponsored Syd Quirk Half Marathon run and walk.

The event, which incorporates the IoM Half-Marathon Championships, starts from Ronaldsway Industrial Estate with walkers at 8am.

These will be followed by the slower half-marathon runners at 8.15am (for those expecting to take longer than 2hr 15min), and 9am for the main field (those likely to finish under 2hr 15min).

The course takes in two laps of a six-mile loop involving Ballasalla, Cross Four Ways, Ballabeg, Iron Gate, Ballakeighan, Castletown Bypass and Janet’s Corner.

Ollie Lockley is the clear favourite and he could well be on to break Steve Kelly’s long-time record for the 13.1-mile course.

Fuller preview in this week’s Manx Independent, on sale now.