Organisers raise End-2-End size limit to 1,700

Almost 1,400 riders started the race in 2010 with 1,005 finishing

The Manx End-2-End mountain bike challenge's entry limit has been increased to 1,700 for the 2011 race.

Registration was closed on Friday, but after discussions with all relevant parties, the decision has been quickly taken to extend the event's capacity.

"The interest has been immense but this will be the final figure," said organiser Steve Honeybone.

"It will not be increased beyond this as we could risk spoiling the unique nature of the event."

This year's race will be held on Sunday 18 September.

Riders that were placed on a waiting list, when the 1,400 limit was reached on Friday, will now receive an invitation to join the event.

The organisers say they are considering several ideas to deal with the large numbers at the event's mass start.

Two possible solutions are the use of tags to eradicate time delays and a new off-road section at the start of the race, to spread out the field before riders reach the first climb at Ballacob.

Just under 1,400 competitors took on the challenge in 2010, which sees cyclists ride from one end of the island to the other.

In 2010 Nick Craig won his third consecutive title in two hours 57 minutes and 20 seconds, with 1,005 cyclists completing the race.