Three Week Countdown to Easter Festival of Running

There are just over three weeks to go until one of the big highlights of the year for local runners.

The 61st IQ-EQ Isle of Man Easter Festival of Running comprises three races over Easter weekend, each of which offer spectacular racing and a great atmosphere.

The landmark 60th Festival in 2024 attracted a record entry of 605 and more than 35% of runners ran personal bests. 

Easter Festival of Running

Much of the vibrant atmosphere comes from the hordes of university students who visit each year, adding quality to the event as well as a lot of fun.

The Festival is open to all from international runners to novices, with a minimum age of 15 on the opening day of the Festival.

It begins at 7pm on Good Friday (April 18) with the IQ-EQ 10-kilometres road race which starts and finishes on Port Erin Promenade. 

The Course

The course, very suitable for those chasing personal best times, takes in the spectacularly scenic coastal section at Gansey before returning via Port St Mary.

Men and women start together, though the results are classified separately.

On Easter Saturday afternoon (April 19), the action moves west for the famous Full Factory Winnerswear Peel Hill races.

Easter Weekend

The men’s race of approximately 3.5 miles starts at 2:15pm, with the women’s race over a slightly shorter course beginning one hour later at 3:15pm.

The lower part of the hill is always packed with spectators from the visiting universities who create a fantastic atmosphere for the runners. 

Racing concludes on Easter Sunday morning (April 20) with the Outback 5-kilometre road races on Douglas Promenade walkway.

The women’s race starts at 10:30am, and the men follow at 11:20am.

The ticket-only prize presentation and party at the Outback Sports Bar follows on Sunday evening. 

Big Local Entry

Organisers are keen to see a big local entry, the only proviso being a generous 38-minute cut-off at the 5km point of the 10km race.

There is a big team element to each of the races and to the Festival overall, with entries from visiting universities and local athletics clubs traditionally being the mainstay of the competition.

There will be an extra incentive for local runners this year, with teams being invited to take part from local educational establishments and from recognised local running groups.

Teams in the men’s and women’s races are four members with the best three to score in each race. 

Get Entered

Online entry will remain open until 9pm on Saturday, April 5.

Late entries will only be accepted on the day and a late entry premium will be payable.

All the information on the Easter Festival including full event rules and a link to the entry system can be found here.