Isle of Man set for inaugural Backyard Ultra

New ultra-endurance race getting underway tomorrow (2 Oct)

A good turnout is expected for a new ultra-endurance event making its debut on the Isle of Man this week.

The first ever Backyard Ultra - Isle of Man is due to get underway tomorrow (2 October) with nearly 200 competitors registered to be involved.

The event will see participants take on a 4.167-mile loop every hour at Archallagan Plantation until only one person remains to be crowned the course champion.

Nikki Arthur and Kim Tastagh have been involved in organising the meeting and explain how this challenge differs to other endurance formats:

There are also high-profile athletes backing the meeting - reigning women's backyard ultra world champion, Sarah Perry is visiting to officially launch the event whilst former Island competitor and current 24-hour world record holder, Sarah Webster will be assisting one of the people taking part.

The event is due to get underway tomorrow at Archallagan Plantation at 12pm and will see competitors attempt to complete the loop course in the allotted 60 minutes.

Participants will only be able to progress to the next hour if they successfully complete the previous one.

If an athlete finishes the course within an hour and with time to spare, that extra time can be used a rest period until the next hour begins.

Currently, there are 174 individuals registered to be involved from both on and off-Island.

Along with a prixe for winning the event overall, there will also be awards for the Assist (second-placed finisher) as well as for the male and female competitors who completed the most laps (if they're not the overall winners).

There will also be recognition for those that complete the most laps in certain age groups and for reaching milestone distances.

Entries are already closed.

Meanwhile, the Isle of Man Constabulary is advising that, as a result of the event, Archallagan Plantation will be closed to the public tomorrow and Saturday (2-3 October) and car park 1 will not be available during this period.

Officers add whilst there are no planned road closures around the event, the road is expected to be busier than usual with competitors, support crews and spectators in the vicinity and so motorists are advised to take extra time for travel if passing through the area