This year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk is already breaking records
and on track for the largest ever number of entries. So far 320*
walkers have signed up for the event and this is already more than
the greatest number ever to have registered by the end of January.
Race Director Ray Cox said that more entries were expected by the
end of the month, especially as Manx Telecom customers have an
extra incentive to register now as they will receive £5 off their
entry fee if they sign up before January 31.
A total of 1,753 entrants registered for the 2011 event - the
highest ever total in the event’s long history - and it’s hoped
that another record will be set this year. Ray Cox said: “We’re
very pleased with the number of entries so far, it’s the best we’ve
ever had in January and puts us on course to beat last year’s
record breaking total.”
David Smith, Manx Telecom Marketing Director, said he was
delighted with the news in what is the first year of Manx Telecom’s
sponsorship of the event, and he added that it would be great to
see 2,012 entries in 2012. He commented: “Reaching 2,012 entries
would be a magnificent achievement and further enhance what is
already a fantastic community and sports event. It’s an ambitious
target, but one that is attainable given the popularity of the
Parish Walk across the Island. We are confident that our ambitions
for the Manx Telecom Parish Walk will be shared and supported by
the Island’s community and the tremendous community spirit which
has helped to make the event what it is today.”
A greater number of participants means more money raised for the
many charities which benefit from the walk, and more people taking
up walking for exercise - with all of the health and fitness
benefits that brings. So, in order to attract more participants,
the new sponsor is working with organisers to add new categories to
the event for 2012 and beyond. A new Corporate Challenge category
for teams of four has already been introduced with all four team
members being bona fide employees of the same company, and no team
with more than one member who has previously completed the full
85-mile Parish Walk. This is designed to attract participants who
have never taken part in the Parish Walk before.
There will still be an overall team competition with the rule
that no more than two of the four team members have previously
finished the full Parish Walk course.
The 2012 Manx Telecom Parish Walk takes place on Saturday June
23 - go to www.parishwalk.com for more information and online
registration. Entry costs £30 - or £25 for Manx Telecom customers
who register before January 31. All entrants receive a Manx Telecom
Parish Walk tee-shirt, goodie bag, and a ticket to the prize
presentation. Everyone - including those taking part in the team
and Corporate Challenge events - must enter individually. To enter
the team events, entrants simply put the name of their team or
Corporate Challenge team on the online entry form.
* NB: Figure quoted was correct on January 17. Please go to
www.parishwalk.com, click
on ‘Entries’, and scroll down to bottom of the page for the latest
figure.