It’s time to get your trainers on and dance down to this year’s ‘Strictly Parish’ evening for expert advice on how to prepare for the Manx Telecom Parish Walk. At this time of year many walkers are starting to train in earnest for the big day on June 20, and the Strictly Parish allows walkers to get expert advice from a panel of coaches, physios and race walking champions whoanswer questions from the audience. It’s being held at Keyll Darree Education and Training Centre near to Noble’s Hospital on Tuesday February 24 – doors open at 5pm for a 6pm start.

The event will last around an hour, and everyone who attends the evening will have their names entered into a free prize draw to win a Polar Loop activity tracker generously donated by Intersport Isle of Man. The tracker is a 24 hour activity bracelet that records steps, calories burned, and an overall activity goal for each day – as well as telling the time! Entry to the Strictly Parish evening is free, and tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.

On the panel will be Bridget Kaneen, Race Walking Association judge; Ben Scott, sports therapist and ultra-distance athlete; Dr Dave Walker, a doctor at Noble’s Hospital and a Parish Walk finisher; Richard Gerrard, Parish Walk winner in 2012 and 2014 and the joint record holder with a time of 14hrs 42mins 32secs; Lisa Motley, a Parish Walk finisher who is Endurance Events Fundraiser at The Children’s Centre; and Dale Farquhar, a Parish Walk finisher.

Ray Cox, Manx Telecom Parish Walk Race Director, said:

“Strictly Parish is an excellent opportunity to find out about training, nutrition, footwear, and to get tips from the top walkers on tackling the biggest walking challenge on the Island. There’s something for everyone– from novices getting ready to take part in the walk for the first time, to more experienced walkers who have set themselves new targets to achieve this year.”

The Strictly Parish evening is also an ideal opportunity to find out more about special Manx Telecom Parish Walk training sessions being organised by Manx Harriers. The sessions are on Sunday March 1 and Sunday March 22. Both sessions start at 9am– meet at the Manx Harriers clubhouse at the NSC.

Entries to the Manx Telecom Parish Walk are coming in fast, with numbers up by around 200 on this time last year. All entries must be made online at www.parishwalk.com.Right now, entry costs ?35, but it is?40 after March 31 until the final entry deadline on May 10.The Manx Telecom Parish Walk 2015 will start as usual from the NSC and finishes on Douglas Promenade for those completing the full distance.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.