Published: 12/5/2021

Manx Telecom extends sponsorship of Parish Walk to 2024

Organisers announce new features for 2021 event

As final preparations for this year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk get underway, Manx Telecom is delighted to announce it is extending its sponsorship of the event for a further three years until 2024.

The biggest mass participation community sporting event on the Isle of Man, the Manx Telecom Parish Walk is a highlight of the calendar both for professional and amateur race walkers. It is also greatly valued by the many charities and organisations that benefit from the fundraising that takes place by participants.

Following the cancellation of the 2020 event, interest in the 2021 Manx Telecom Parish Walk has been high. Organisers are expecting a record number of entries for the walk which takes place on Saturday 19th June.

Entrants will be flagged away at the 8.00am start at the NSC by champion fundraiser Dylan Walton. The 9-year-old from Anagh Coar, who suffers from cerebral palsy, made news himself last year by successfully completing his challenge to climb Snaefell, raising nearly £30,000 for the Rebecca House Children’s Hospice in the process.

This year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk will also see the introduction of a number of new innovations including the Fanzone at Knockaloe, courtesy of Nedgroup Investments. The Fanzone will provide a family-friendly venue for supporters to follow the walkers’ progress from the Round Table to Patrick. Additional timing points will also be set up on this section of the walk at Dalby and Glen Maye, with a further timing point being added later in the race at Glen Mona.

As well as the enhancements to the usual live timing web app provided by Manx Telecom, a new app for race walkers and followers (https://route.parishwalk.com/) has been developed by Tony Partridge. This will show the location of checkpoints, feeding stations and toilets as well as all the road closures and one way systems in place.

Finishers of the 85-mile marathon will be provided with a video clip of them arriving at the finishing line, courtesy of Graham Hughes at Manx Timing Solutions. 

Announcing the news of the extended sponsorship and race details, Manx Telecom CEO Gary Lamb said there was huge anticipation about this year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk.

“After three lockdowns and the cancellation of last year’s event due to the pandemic, everyone is looking forward to getting back on the road and celebrating being a part of this amazing and unique sporting occasion that really brings people together on the Isle of Man.

“As a sponsor, Manx Telecom has been involved with the Parish Walk since 2007. Each year we are blown away by inspirational stories around the event and also the extraordinary sense of community it creates.

“We are delighted to be able to support the walk for three more years, providing opportunities for people to not only reach some of their personal fitness goals but to also raise money for charities and organisations that help the wider community.”

Race organiser Ray Cox thanked Manx Telecom for its further commitment to the Parish Walk, saying, “Manx Telecom has been a huge supporter of the event, not only by helping us to ensure it is financially secure but also in encouraging and assisting us to develop it in so many different ways.

“We are indebted to Gary and his team for the work they do in promoting the walk and for taking such a keen interest in how we can continue to improve it for the good of the community.

“We hope the new features we are introducing this year will add to the enjoyment of supporters as well as participants, and look forward to a great turn out at the NSC at 8am on 19th June!”