The countdown to the Manx Telecom Parish Walk 2015 has begun with entries opening this Monday [December 1]. There are discounts available for those who sign-up early. Those entering before January 31 will pay ?30, entry before March 31 costs ?35, and after that it is ?40. Manx Telecom customers entering before January 31 will receive an additional ?5 discount.

All entries must be made online at www.parishwalk.com and the final closing date is May 10. The 85-mile race is on Saturday June 20, starting as usual from the NSC. Certificates will be awarded to all walkers who complete the full 85-miles in under 24 hours. Sub 18 hour finishers receive a gold certificate, 18 to 21 hour finishers receive silver, and 21 to 24 hour finishers, bronze.

There is a Corporate Team Award for teams of four walkers who are all from the same Isle of Man based company. Teams may include no more than one walker who has previously completed the full 85 mile distance. The winners will be the team with the highest aggregate distance covered by all four members. In the event of a tie on mileage, the fastest aggregate time for the four walkers will determine the winners. The Overall Team race is for four walkers and cannot include more than two previous finishers who have completed the full 85 miles. The rules for determining the winners are the same as those for the Corporate Team Award. All participants in the team competitions must enter individually and include their team names.

Younger walkers aged 18 to 21 can also compete, with prizes for the first male and first female competitors to cover the 32.5 miles to Peel. There’s also a competition for teams of three in the same age group over the same distance. The winners will be the trio with the fastest combined time, and there are separate prizes for men’s and women’s teams.

David Smith, Manx Telecom Marketing Director, said:

“2015 will be our fourth year as title sponsor and we’re already looking forward to the big day on June 20. The Manx Telecom Parish Walk is always a great occasion in the Island’s sporting and community calendar, and our main goal as sponsor has always been to support the hard work of the organisers and encourage new participants from all ages to take part. In previous years our customer discount on entry fees has proved to be very popular, so we’re delighted to offer this again for 2015. In the New Year we will also have some exciting announcements which will add even more fun to how everyone experiences the event.”

Last year Manx Telecom extended its commitment to sponsor the Parish Walk until 2017. The company’s support for the event goes back to 2007 when it began sponsoring the official timing and results service. Richard Gerrard won the 2014 race, with David Walker second and Richard Wild in third. The ladies winner was Janette Morgan who crossed the line ahead of Janice Quirk and Joanne Cubbon. The under-21 winners were Alex Eaton and Danielle Oates. A total of 184 completed the 85-mile course within 24 hours – 71 of them managing the full distance for the first time. 

Photo - Richard Gerrard on his way to victory in the 2014 Manx Telecom Parish Walk.