Parish Walk on 2006.

The Parish Walk (sponsored by Manx Telecom since 2012, previously known as the Clerical Medical Parish Walk until 2009, then Scottish Widows Parish walk up to 2011) is a walking race that takes place on the Isle of Man each year usually on the weekend nearest to the Northern Summer solstice.^[1] It is the biggest walking event on the island.^[2]

The Parish Walk is so called because the route passes through all of the island's seventeen parishes, covering a total distance of 85 miles (137 km). Originally, walkers had to touch the door of each of the seventeen parish churches, which are all still visited but nowadays electronic timing chips are worn. A time limit of 24 hours is given, and there are cut-off times for reaching each stage.

Only a small proportion of walkers are expected to complete the full distance each year. Walkers may drop out at any of the stages, which correspond to each parish, with an official time and distance. The entry fee for the 2018 race was quoted at £40 or less dependent on discounts.^[3]

History

The challenge was seeded by a Manx Sun newspaper article in 1852 entitled "A summer's day Journey", recording a journey taken by the then-Coroner, John Cannel, who covered 90 miles in 15 hours on horseback. The following year he followed a similar route, only this time on foot, visiting each of the island's 17 parishes.

It was not until 1913 that the event took its current form when the Parish Walking Match was organised by the Isle of Man Times and the Manx Sporting Club. The outbreak of war interrupted the event, and it was revived in 1923.

Fundraising

It is believed that the Parish Walk may be the largest annual fundraising event in the island. However, as each participant is left to raise money themselves and for a charity of their own choice, no figures have ever been compiled. Participation involves a chargeable entry fee.^[3]

Course

The Parish Walk starts at 8am at the National Sports Centre in Douglas. From the start line of the athletics track, competitors must complete one lap of the 400 metre track before leaving through the Marathon gates, negotiating the TT Access Road before doubling back to the first of the Parish Churches (Braddan), proceeding in the following order;

• Braddan Church (2 miles)
• Marown Church (4.5 miles)
• Santon Church (11 miles)
• Malew Church (15 miles)
• Arbory Church (17 miles)
• Rushen Church (19 miles)
• Patrick Church (30.5 miles)
• St German's Church, Peel (32.5 miles)
• Kirk Michael Church (39 miles)
• Ballaugh Church (42 miles)
• Jurby Church (45 miles)
• Bride Church (52.5 miles)
• Andreas Church (55.5 miles)
• Lezayre Church (61.5 miles)
• Maughold Church (67 miles)
• Lonan Church (78.5 miles)
• Onchan Church (83 miles)
• Finish, Douglas (85 miles)

The finishing line is on Douglas promenade by the War Memorial at the bottom of Broadway.

Past winners

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Sponsorship

Clerical Medical sponsored the event from 1990 to 2009, until the takeover of HBOS (which owned Clerical Medical) by Lloyds TSB (which owned Scottish Widows) to form the Lloyds Banking Group. As a result of the takeover the event was rebranded as the Scottish Widows Parish Walk. This sponsorship ran up to and including the 2011 event. On 12 October 2011 the organisers announced that Manx Telecom would be taking over sponsorship.^[1] Manx Telecom had provided the on-line timing systems for previous years but the 2012 event was their first as title sponsors.

Organisation

The Parish Walk is organised by Manx Harriers, the largest Athletics club in the Isle of Man. A sub-committee of the club organises the event.^[7]

Events

There are four main races within the Parish Walk - The Mass race, Ladies Race, Team Race and Under 21 Race.

References

External links

• Google Map of the course
• Parish Walk Information