One of the highlights of the athletics year for both race walkers and runners will take place on Saturday 28th February 2009. This is the Manx Harriers Open Meeting, to be held on the perimeter road at the National Sports Centre in Douglas. This meeting always attracts many top-class race walkers from the UK, Ireland and sometimes beyond, as well as our top locals. It is a great opportunity for local race walkers to compete in the same meeting as several world-class athletes, or even just to watch top athletes in action and learn good race walking technique from the experts.

The programme of events for the day starts at 10.00am with a junior 1 mile race for competitors under the age of 15.

At 10.30am, three races start together. These are the Junior 3k race for Under 13s and Under 15s, the 5k race (age 13 and over) and the 10k race (age 15 or over).

The top-of-the-bill event follows at 12 noon. This is the 20k race for competitors aged 17 and over.

The final event of the day sees the return of the half marathon run over 26 laps of the perimeter road, starting at 2.30pm. This run is always well-supported and this year provides an opportunity for local runners to record an Island Games guideline time. The minimum age for the run is 17 on the day of the race.

All races are open to both male and female competitors.

As always, Manx Harriers will endeavour to make the weekend as full and enjoyable as possible for both visiting athletes and locals by arranging a very informal social on the Saturday evening.

We hope to see many of our friends who have supported the meeting in the past, and would be delighted to see some new faces in 2009.  

Timetable

10 am - Junior 1 Mile

(male and female, age under 15)

10.30 am - Junior 3Km and 5Km Walks & 10Km Walks

(male and female, under 13's and under 15's for 3 km, aged 13 and over for 5Km, & age 15 and over for 10km)

12 noon - 20km Walk

(male and female, age 17 and over)

2.30 pm - Half Marathon run

(male and female, age 17+ on day of race)

the ages for the walking events are as at 1st September 2008

Social get-together following races on Saturday evening

A chance to meet with fellow athletes local and across the water, have a chat, watch the days events on video have some food and probably best of all, let your hair down and have a few drinks. Venue is The Ascot Hotel, who are going to put on a good spread for £11 per person. Time 7.30 -8.00pm till late. If you wish to attend please contact Elizabeth Corran on 01624 674566 or send payment to Elizabeth at: 35 Wybourn Grove, Onchan, IOM IM3 4AU as soon as possible. Manx Harriers organisers look forward to your support at this social evening.

Entry Forms

 PDF Format    Word Format

Entries Close Saturday 21st February 2009

STRICTLY NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY

Prizes

Junior 1 Mile - medals to all finishers

3km walk - medal for 1st, 2nd, 3rd (men & women)

5km walk - medal for 1st, 2nd, 3rd (men & women)

10km walk - medal for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, (men & women)

20km walk - medal for 1st, 2nd, 3rd (men & women)

Half Marathon run - medal for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, (men & women), medals to winners of veteran categories 35 upwards

Past Results & Photos

Open Invitation Meeting past photo's and results page

Sea Travel

There is a fast craft service from Liverpool (2.5 hours) or ferry service from Heysham (3.75 hours). Book your ferry to the Isle of Man at

www.manxferries.com

Air Travel

There are flights from all over the British Isles. Fares change on a daily basis but normally the earlier you book the less you will pay

Isle of Man Airport (Ronaldsway) website

contact information for all airlines operating to & from the Isle of Man

Accommodation

All types of accommodation is available from small B and B guest houses to 4 stars hotels. Prices seem to start at around £15 per person per night. For more information on accommodation the following web sites might be useful:

www.gov.im/tourism

www.isleofman.com/accommodation