The BBC website has revealed an ambitious plan by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism to stage the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in the Isle of Man.

But lover’s of traditional Manx cross country courses such as Kewaigue, East Baldwin & Archallagan should not get too excited . The event is likely to be held on the dead flat fields at Sulby, where the Royal Manx Agricultural Show is held in August, alongside the TT course.

The scheme is part of the Island’s attempt to generate extra publicity for the centenary of the TT by holding international events at venues adjoining the course.  With its superb backdrop of the hills behind, the Island is bound to look stunning.

Such flat courses are usually only broken by a few straw bales but there is a clever suggestion to bring a local flavour to the man made obstacles.  A replica of Ballaugh Bridge is to be built to further publicise the TT. Runners will have to jump from the bridge into a small lake which will contain some of the inhabitants of the nearby Wild Life Park.

As always on the Isle of Man, some people are determined to prevent such a big event.  The Department of Industry have confirmed that as the runners will be on the Isle of Man for four days, each one will require a work permit.  Their spokesman was quoted as saying: “Modern international runners are professional athletes and they are on the Island practising their profession.  The regulations say that if you work in the Island for more than three days you must have a work permit.”   With extreme sensitivity he added: “If anyone doesn't like the rules, there is a boat at 9 in the morning.”

The IAAF spokesman, Mr Afool Sumtime, was unavailable for comment.

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