With thousands of people having either walked the entire length of Bermuda or run from Somerset to Hamilton — or both — in the past month, there is one group of business professionals who have been kept particularly busy.

The past month has given sports massage and body wellness experts packed appointment schedules as athletes and walkers seek out treatment to ease away the pains and strains of their exertions, or, in the case of the May 24 runners, look for a competitive edge with a relaxing massage before the big day.

The closeness of the End-to-End walk and the May 24 Marathon Half Marathon Derby makes May a particularly busy month.

Richard Johnson, vice-president of the Bermuda Massage Therapy Association, said: "We do get a rush of people at this time of year. On race day we work closely with the St. John Ambulance and have people queuing up for a massage after the race."

Normally the association has a number of its members offering after-race massages to competitors seeking relief from stiff legs and lactic acid that accumulates in the muscles after the race.

"We will give out quick massages to those people who come in with a problem," said Mr. Johnson.

In the lead-up to the Island's biggest running participation event the massage therapists find themselves with full appointment books as athletes taper down. Many of the association's 15 members have their "own athletes" who have a regular appointment programme to ensure they are at their optimal state of muscle conditioning before the event.

And it is just as important for them to see their massage therapist afterwards to help relax the muscles and break down the accumulated toxins within the muscles, said Mr. Johnson.

"Friday (today) will be a busy day. We all have our own athletes who stay with us. The really keen athletes will come and get worked on before the race and come in on a regular basis, especially if they have done a lot of training," said Mr. Johnson.

"It makes the athlete feel good. And we find that after the race, when people come for a massage at the tent, we often pick up a few new clients."

The association has members with their own treatment rooms and also offer treatment at people's homes. There is an increasing level of awareness of the benefits of proper massage and muscle manipulation by sports people and those who stay active through walking and other pursuits.

"More and more in the last 10 years we have seen this increase in awareness. Massage therapy has been felt to be a good thing in the US and it has spread," said Mr. Johnson.

The association is currently headed by Glenn Robinson. Members are geared up for a busy few days as runners seek treatment for muscle soreness that has resulted from their May 24 exertions, with today and Monday likely to be the busiest days.

*The boon in business caused by the close proximity of the End-to-End and May 24 is not restricted to the massage therapy sector. On-Island sports shops have been doing a good trade in running shoes and apparel for the past month or two.

Allana Bean, at Sportseller in Washington Mall, said: "April and May is a good time for us, as is Christmas. These months are busy with running apparel, swimsuits and other items selling well."