People who are going to take part in the Parish Walk this summer have been given some expert advice.
A talk was held at the Keyll Darree Education and Training Centre near Noble’s Hospital.
It featured a panel including IAAF race walking judge Steve Taylor; sports masseur Ben Scott; consultant anaesthetist Dr Matthew Biggart; former Parish Walk winner, Commonwealth Games competitor and now coach Graham Young; centurion walker and five times Parish Walk finisher Karen Lawrie; and Andrew Titley, a multiple m Parish Walk finisher who has also completed the Big 50 mile Walk in South Africa. They answered a wide range of questions from an audience comprising walkers of all ages, and ranging from novices to more experienced walkers aiming to complete the full 85-mile course.
Topics covered included training, nutrition, footwear and clothing, and a discussion about rules and regulations.
Dr Dave Walker has prepared some health advice on the risks of using anti-inflammatory drugs during the race which was discussed at the evening, and is also available on the Parish Walk website www.parishwalk.com.
Everyone who attended the evening had their names entered into a free prize draw to win a Polar A300 Activity Trainer, donated by Intersport Isle of Man. Kallie Rogerson was the winner and was presented with her prize by Manx Telecom marketing executive Marg McGee.
Ray Cox, Parish Walk race director, said: ‘We are delighted with the turnout and must thank everyone who contributed to a very worthwhile event – not least the panel whose expert advice will be a great help to walkers of all abilities as they prepare for this year’s race.’
The Parish Walk takes place on Saturday June 18, starting at 8am at the NSC in Douglas. Anyone who enters before midnight on March 31 will receive a £5 discount on the entry fee. It costs £35 if you sign up before that date, and £40 from April 1 until the final closing date for entries on May 8. All entries must be made at www.parishwalk.com.
Certificates will be awarded to all walkers who complete the full distance 85-mile route 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.
For 2016, there will again be a competition for younger walkers aged 18 to 21 completing the 32.5 miles to Peel.
There’s a corporate team award with prizes for teams of four walkers who are all from the same Isle of Man company and with no more than one walker who has previously completed the full 85-mile distance.
And there’s an overall team category for four walkers which cannot include more than two who have completed the full 85 miles. In both of the team competitions the winners will be decided by the highest aggregate distance covered by all four members, and all participants in the team competitions must enter individually and include their team names.
The Parish Walk is sponsored by Manx Telecom.