Everything you need to know for today's Parish Walk

Whether you're taking part or cheering someone on - all the information you need, all in one place

At 8am this morning (22 June) this year's crop of parish walkers will set off from the NSC ready to face a mammoth 85-mile challenge.

Finishers will visit 17 parish churches and aim to return to Douglas Promenade before the 24-hour deadline.

A total of 1,233 people signed up to take part this year, but only 133 managed the entire feat in 2023.

Both the Men's and Ladies winners from last year are competing again this time around, with Dean Morgan wearing number one and Lorna Gleave wearing number 11.

Earlier this week, organisers shared advice for those taking part, and outlined what measures are in place to support people if they need it around the course.

They also issued a warning regarding anti-inflammatory tablets, telling walkers not to rely on drugs such as ibuprofen, especially when dehydration could be a factor on the day.

You can hear that conversation in full below.

WALKERS

TIMINGS

Now for those who've done the Parish Walk before, you'll know the drill, but for newcomers - you need to check in at the churches around the course by specific times.

These are as follows:

WEATHER

The latest weather forecast is looking favourable for those heading out west first thing this morning.

According to Ronaldsway Met Office, we can expect a dry day today with 'sunny spells', though 'it will turn cloudy later in the evening with a few spots of rain possible overnight'.

Light westerly winds will back to a moderate southerly through the afternoon, with a top temperature up to 16°C.

The sun will set at around 10 o'clock this evening for those planning to battle on through the night!

BAGS

This year, organisers are offering a bag drop service from Douglas to Peel.

You can leave your bag at the marquee at the NSC this morning and collect it at The Philip Christian Centre in Peel (behind the Town Hall).

SUPPORTERS

Support cars must display their numbers clearly on the front and rear windscreens - failure to adhere to the rules can incur time penalties or disqualification on your walker.

Not in a support car and don't fancy facing traversing the roads?

A free shuttle bus service is running every 20 minutes between 2pm and 6pm from the Bowl Car Park in Douglas to Derby Road in Peel (opposite the police station).

And you can track your walker's progress via the Parish Walk website, where live timing is available HERE.

ROAD CLOSURES

So, what do you need to know if you're out and about today?

The following roads are closed to all traffic:

• A1 from Union Mills to Crosby - 08.20 - 10:30
• The Cleaynagh Road - 09:00 - 11:30
• The Orrisdale Road - 09:30 - 13:30
• Derby Road, Peel - 12:30 - 18:30

The following roads are one-way only (they can be used for parking and assisting walkers except where no stopping zones are in place):

• The Glen Darragh Road (Marown School to Braaid crossroads) - 08:30 - 11:00
• St Marks Road (Braaid roundabout to Clannagh Road) - 09:00 - 11:30
• Stuggadhoo Road (B37) between its junction with the A26 (St Marks Road) and the A24 (Foxdale Road) in a northerly direction - 09:00 - 11:00
• The Oatlands Road (A5 New Castletown Road to A25 Old Castletown Road) - 09:15 - 13:00
• The Old Castletown Road (B24 Oatlands Road junction to A5 New Castletown Road at the Blackboards) - 09:15 - 13:00
• St Marks to Ballasalla Road (Junction of B38 Orrisdale Road to its junction with the A34 Phildraw Road) - 10:00 - 13:30
• A7 Ballasalla to Cross Four Ways road (from the junction of road leading to rear of Rushen Abbey to Cross Four Ways) - 10:00 - 13:00
• Cross 4 Ways to Malew Church (Cross 4 Ways to Malew Church) - 10:00 - 14:00
• A7 Cross Four Ways to the 'T' junction of Ballanorris Road in Ballabeg - 10:00 - 14:00
• Barracks Road, Rushen (Rushen Church to Ballafesson Road) - 11:00 - 14:45
• Old School Road, Rushen (Ballakillowey roundabout to Ballakilley Housing Estate) - 11:00 - 14:00
• The Sloc Road (Ballakilley Housing Estate to the raod leading top Scard Farm) - 11:00 - 15:00
• The Sloc Road (Scard Farm to the Round Table crossroads) - 11:00 - 17:00
• The Dalby Road (Round Table crossroads to the Lhagg Road) - 12:00 - 18:00
• Church Street, Peel (Christian Street to Derby Road) - 13:30 - 18:30
• Peel to Kirk Michael Road (from the Switchback junction to Glen Wyllin campsite) - 13:30 - 18:30
• Ballaugh Church to The Cronk - 15:00 - 21:00
• The B9 Ballacrye Road from The Cronk - 15:00 - 21:00
• Jurby to Bride Road (Junction with B3 Bretney Road to Bride Roundabout) - 17:00 - 22:50
• Bride to Ramsey Road (Bride Roundabout to A17 West Kimerragh Road) - 17:00 - 00:00
• A17 West Kimerragh Road from its junction with the A10 Bride Road to its junction with the B6 outside Andreas village - 17:00 - 00:00
• A17 from its junction with the B3 outside Andreas village to the north side of St Judes crossroads - 18:00 - 02:00
• A17 from the south side of St Judes crossroads to the junction with the A3 at Sulby Bridge - 18:30 - 02:30
• A3 Lezayre Road (Ginger Hall to Ramsey) from a point 110 meters east of the D11 Narradale Road to its junction with the B16 Glen Auldyn Road - 21:00 - 04:00
• The Dhoon to Laxey Road (Dhoon Glen to Minorca Crossroads) - 21:00 - 07:00

No stopping zones:

• Braddan Bridge to Union Mills
• On the A26 St Marks Road between the Braaid Roundabout and the turn off for the Cleaynagh Road
• On the New Castletown Road from the junction of the Cleaynagh Road to the junction with the Oatlands Road
• On the New Castletown Road from the junction of the Old Castletown Road with the junction with the Orrisdale Road
• On the St Marks to Ballasalla Road from the junction with the Orrisdale Road to Ballasalla
• On the A27 from Eairy Cushlin to the Raggatt, Patrick
• Kirk Michael from the Mitre public house to the filling station
• On Church Road, Lonan from the junction with the A2 coast road to Croit-e Quill Road
• On the A2, Lonan with its junction with Church Road coming out of Lonan

Assistance to race walkers in the no stopping zones is forbidden as there are many feed stations provided along the early part the course.

OTHER RULES

Race organisers have issued the following rules for those in support cars:

• Stop only where you can park SAFELY.
• Be aware of road junctions and dangerous bends.
• Do not attempt to drive alongside walkers.
• Be aware of safety of other walkers and road users.
• Do not leave litter or discard food waste. Take home all your litter or use the appropriate bins.
• Switch on hazard lights when parked on the road.
• You must wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night. (Reflective bibs are on sale at the check in).
• Do not make excessive noise in residential areas during the night.
• Pace making is not permitted

TOILETS

Need the loo whilst out and about? Never fear - here are all of today's locations:

• The Start – NSC • Ballafreer • Marown School • Glen Darragh Road • Cleayneagh Road Bottom • Cleayneagh Road Top • Oatlands Road 1 & 2 • Ballakelly • Santon Church Road • Mill House • Orrisdale Road 1 & 2 • Abbey Church Hall, Ballasalla Village • Malew Church • Arbory Church • Arbory School • Colby • Rushen Parking Field • Rushen Church • Ballakillowey Picnic Area • Ballakilpheric • Sloc Bottom • Sloc Top • Round Table • Eary Cushlin 1 & 2 • Dalby • Glen Maye • Gordon • Patrick • Knockaloe • Peel • Devils Elbow • Berk Farm, Kirk Michael • Kirk Michael Village • Bishopscourt • Ballaugh Village • Jurby Church • Smeale Farm, The Lhen • Bride Village • Andreas Village • Andreas Church • Lezayre Church • Ramsey Masonic Hall and Commissioners • Maughold Village • Dhoon Glen • Laxey Village • Lonan Church • Onchan Church • Port Jack • Finish

For all those who make it to Peel or beyond, this year's prize presentation will take place at the Villa Marina at 7pm on Tuesday (25 June).

The above advice in full as issued by the Parish Walk team is available HERE and this year's programme is HERE.