Manx Telecom Parish Walkers can choose to have their photos uploaded automatically to their Facebook page during this year’s race, thanks to a brand new service being introduced by the event’s title sponsor. The ‘Pic2Go’ service means that official volunteer photographers can upload photos which will be instantly posted onto the walker’s timeline. It will be the first time that the service has been available in the Isle of Man and, thanks to Manx Telecom, will be free of charge for all walkers in the event. However, it will be run on an ‘opt in’ basis so only those walkers that choose it will have their photos sent to Facebook.

Pic2Go works using software which recognises a unique barcode on the race number of each walker, but it also relies on photographers having access on location to a superfast mobile broadband network. Providing this service at the Parish Walk has only been made possible due to Manx Telecom’s 4G network which has 99% population coverage and the bandwidth required to upload the massive amount of data generated from around 12,000 pictures which will be taken on the day of the race. Photos from all the official volunteer photographers will also be uploaded to www.parishwalk.com after the event, searchable by race number, and available to purchase. All proceeds will go to local charities.

News about the Pic2Go service was announced at the official media launch for this year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk which was held today, March 5th, at the title sponsor’s Isle of Man Business Park HQ. Speaking at the launch, Manx Telecom CEO Mike Dee said:

“Ever since Manx Telecom became the Parish Walk’s title sponsor in 2012 we have supported the hard work of the organisers to encourage new participants from all ages to take part. We have also used our expertise in technology to enhance the experience of competitors, and to help friends and family follow their progress on the day. Thanks to our 4G mobile broadband network, the Pic2Go service will add another exciting dimension to how everyone can experience this year’s event.”

Details of how to sign-up for the Pic2Go service will be announced around two weeks before the Manx Telecom Parish Walk takes place on Saturday June 20. All Manx Telecom Parish Walk entries must be made online at www.parishwalk.com. Right now, entry costs ?35, but it is ?40 from March 31 until the final entry deadline on May 10.

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.

For anyone wanting expert help to get in shape for this year’s event, Manx Harriers are organising a Manx Telecom Parish Walk training session at the NSC on Sunday March 22 starting at 9am and meeting at the Manx Harriers clubhouse. 

Photo - Manx Telecom Parish Walk Race Director Ray Cox wearing an example of a 2015 race number with a Pic2Go bar code.