Manx End-2-End to be the biggest on record

In 2009, 834 riders completed the gruelling 75km course

Organisers of the Isle of Man End-2-End mountain bike race have revealed that the 2010 race will have the largest field in the event's 14-year history.

Some 1,400 riders will tackle the gruelling 75km race between the Point of Ayre and Cregneash on September 12.

Organiser Steve Honeybone told BBC Isle of Man: "It's a really unique challenge across a diversity of terrain in a stunning location."

Last year 1,069 riders started the race, with 834 completing the route.

The elite riders will aim to complete the course in under three hours but for many it is more of an endurance event.

Riders have to tackle 1,500 metres of climbing, combining fast roads, sweeping moorland paths, country lanes and forest single-track before they reach the finish at Cregneash in the south of the Island.

Honeybone believes the diversity and friendly nature of the event is attracting interest from around the world.

"Around 600 Manx riders have signed-up and there are about the same coming from the UK. We also have an increasing number of riders coming from across Europe, Australia, South Africa and a team from Israel."

Last year former British champion and Olympian Nick Craig retained his title in a time of two hours 47 minutes and 57 seconds.

Jacquline Easton was the first woman home in three hours 54 minutes, 116th overall.

The event started 14 years ago when a group of local riders met up to ride the length of the island for fun.