CLERICAL MEDICAL Parish Walk 2004 19–20 June The Ultimate Challenge in Local Sport BRIDE JURBY (52.5 miles) (45.5 miles) ANDREAS (55.5 miles) BALLAUGH (42 miles) KIRK MICHAEL MAUGHOLD (39 miles) LEZAYRE (67 miles) (62 miles) GERMAN (32.5 miles) LONAN PATRICK (78.5 miles) (30.5 miles) MAROWN (4.5 miles) ONCHAN (83 miles) BRADDAN (2 miles) ARBORY An 85 mile walk (17 miles) SANTON around 17 Parishes RUSHEN (11.5 miles) (19.5 miles) MALEW of the Isle of Man (15 miles) Starts 9.00 a.m. from N.S.C. Douglas www.parishwalk.com Organised by Manx Harriers CMI, setting a blistering pace . happy walking from CMI PARISH WALK A Welcome from the Race Director Welcome to the 2004 Clerical Medical Parish Walk. The event continues to grow and attract more walkers each year. A new record entry of 1234 has been received with 647 men and 587 women coming to the start line. This unique event captures the imagination of the Manx folk and challenges their endurance and stamina. Ahead lies 85 miles and 17 Parish churches all of which must be passed before returning to the Promenade in Douglas within the 24 hour time limit. We wish all the competitors good luck and hope that they will enjoy the day and achieve their personal goals whether it be to Santon or return after the full 85 miles to Douglas. The N.S.C. provides an excellent facility for the start which is at 9 a.m. The walkers are seeded and those wearing 1 to 104 have already completed the “Parish” on at least one occasion. Peter Kaneen the winner in 2003 has not entered this year so the coveted number one is being worn by Robbie Callister who has been a winner in 2001 and 2002. Come out and support these and the other walkers. The committee would like to extend its thanks to Clerical Medical for their continued support for the event. Without their valuable input it would be impossible to run the Parish Walk at the high standard that has been expected. Our thanks are also extended to Dave Butterworth of Skanco Business Systems Limited for providing the computer hardware to get the results out promptly. We are grateful to Dave Willis who has written the computer programme to handle such a large entry and to Murray Lambden for maintaining our website, www.parishwalk.com. I would like to thank the organising committee of Liz Corran, Karen Kneale, Allan Callow, Kevin Walmsley, Martin Lambden, Winston Liu, Tracy Cook and Debbie Walmsley who have freely given of their time and efforts over the past four months. Finally a big thank you to all the marshals, checkers-in, ambulance crews and all the people who year after year turn out in the dead of night to help with the Parish Walk. To all competitors, please read and observe the rules carefully and obey the instructions of the marshals. Please note that there are certain time limits for passing some of the churches. Once you have completed your walk please ensure that your number is handed in to the officials. Thank you and good walking. Raymond Cox - Race Director. Page 1 ADVICE FOR SUPPORT DRIVERS 1. Stop only where you can park SAFELY. Be aware of road junctions and dangerous bends. 2. Use the closed roads sections, that are open to race traffic only, for parking. These sections are: Glen Daragh Road The Oatlands Road Old Castletown Road The Sloc Road 3. Avoid obstructing the main roads in the South during the early stages of the race, particularly the New Castletown Road leading to Ballasalla. 4. Do not attempt to drive alongside walkers. 5. Be aware of the safety of other walkers & road users. 6. Please keep off, agricultural land including hedges. Stay off walls, sod hedges and keep to the highway. 7. Do not leave litter or discard waste food. Take home all your litter or use litter bins. 8. Switch on hazard lights when parked on the road. 9. Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night. 10. Do not make excessive noise in residential areas during the night. Page 2 Parish Walk History The true origins of the parish walk are probably lost in time, though the first race in the modern format was 1913, when the entries totalled 12! Since 1960, the race as it became, was added to the athletics calendar. Then, competitors carried a card which was marked as they touched each Church door. Over the years, in the interests of safety, the course has been amended, but each time measurements have been taken to ensure the overall mileage remained the same. Official measuring prior to the national 100 mile championship, held in conjunction with the Parish, confirmed the distance to be remarkably accurate. The age of computers in the early eighties allowed the results service to be upgraded through the help of the Buchan School, though in truth it meant someone phoning the results in, a far cry from the current system, where thanks to the support of Skanco systems, they are updated on course, with final results being available shortly after the last walker has finished. The programme has been constantly updated by Dave Willis, and the organisers dream of someday being able to use a fully automated system to alleviate the demands of inputting so much information. Entry levels continue to increase year on year, and now represent well over 1% of the national population. In 1979, Steve Gardner was the only person to survive the distance, and finisher numbers until very recently had been disappointing, but 2001 (44) 2002 (63) and 2003 (64) saw a huge increase, and now the question is how many finishers awards to order. 1971 saw the closest finish, when just 54 seconds separated 1st and 2nd. Derek Harrison’s amazing record of 15 hours 20 minutes (11 minutes per mile) has stood since 1979 and long looked unbeatable, but last year saw Peter Kaneen fall just 6 minutes short, when he became only the 6th winner to record a time of under 16 hours. What will happen this year? Fate has tried to disrupt the event on several occasions, forcing a detour via St. Johns in the year we clashed with kart racing in Peel, and detours via Ballaragh on two occasions when the road was closed at Bulgham. Every year at least one person tries to walk an alternative and unofficial route, despite the efforts of the organisers to clearly signpost the way. The programme only records the past winners and last year’s finishers, but mention must be given to those stalwarts who complete the race year after year - people like David Callister, Mick Holgate, Anthony Kneale, Charlie Weston, Dermot O’Toole and Ray Hughes. Ray once got to Santon on crutches, after a fall left him with a leg in plaster. The list of multiple finishers grows every year, and apologies to anyone who feels they should also have a mention. To everyone entering this gruelling challenge I offer best wishes, but please remember, to claim to have truly “done the parish”, you have to cross that line on Douglas promenade. Good luck! Martin Lambden Page 3 The National Sports Centre Welcomes the Parish Walk Providing facilities for all your Training needs. Around the corner from Quarterbridge Pub NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE P • Café – offering features eel R great choice & o ad value • Mixed sauna, Quarterbridge steam and spa Quarterbridge Rd • FREE Parking sessions DOUGLAS To Airport Peel Road • Leisure pool • Ideal wet To Castletown NSC with flumes & weather refuge Sea Terminal Computer Programme: Dave Willis Website: Murray Lambden The Manx Harriers would like to thank the Police, The N.S.C., the Vicars and Church Wardens, the British Red Cross and all who have helped to make this event possible. Awards List 2004 Overall Winner: I.O.M. Parish Walk Cup presented by: Manx A.A.C. Overall Team: Boundary Harriers Cup presented by Boundary Harriers A.C. Best Finish by Newcomer: Millennium Shield presented by Ray Hughes Best Lady Finisher: 15th Anniversary Trophy PRESENTATION: presented by Clerical Medical Ladies Winner to Peel: Boundary Harriers Cup 7.00 p.m. presented by: Boundary Harriers A.C. Veteran Ladies Winner to Peel: Boundary Harriers Plate at Villa Marina, Douglas presented by: Boundary Harriers A.C. Veteran Mens Winner to Peel: ON Scooter Man Cup Ladies Team to Peel: Castletown Ale Drinkers Bowl WEDNESDAY 23rd JUNE presented by The Castletown Ale Drinkers Society U21 Mens Winner to Peel: RACE OFFICIALS: Parish Walk Junior Trophy presented by Murray Lambden Race Director: Raymond Cox U21 Ladies winner to Rushen: Chief Timekeeper: Peter Clague John Quilliam Cup Chief Judge: Graham Young presented in memory of John Quilliam Judges: Raymond Cox, Martin Lambden, George Callister, Winston Liu, Karen Kneale, Liz Corran, Steve Taylor, Di Shimmell, Allan Callow, Dougie Corkill, Murray Lambden, Tracy Cook, Debbie Walmsley and Kevin Walmsley Starter: Henry Harvey Race Referees: Raymond Cox and Kevin Walmsley Course Director: Kevin Walmsley Race Secretary: Liz Corran Results: Karen Kneale & Martin Lambden T-Shirt Design: Steve Partington Chief Marshal: Winston Liu Course Marking: Allan Callow Computer Result Service: Skanco Business Systems Ltd. TIME LIMITS Santon 12.30 pm Rushen 2.45 pm Peel 6.00 pm* Kirk Michael 8.00 pm Ballaugh 8.50 pm Jurby 9.45 am Bride 11.50 pm Andreas 12.45 am Lezayre 2.25 am Maughold 3.50 am Lonan 7.05 am Finish 9.00 am *Peel will remain open until 6.30 pm for finishers only.