WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT THE SITE THIS WEEKEND

I'm not able to get to the start this year or publish any early news.  The first update will probably be between 5 and 6 pm on Saturday evening with a further update at around 11 pm.

Depending on the gaps between the walkers as they finish, I'm hoping to get pictures of the first few and have them online very shortly afterwards. There will be further news possibly at around 8 am but maybe a little later and the full results should be published around lunchtime on Sunday.

Updated databases will start appearing by Sunday evening and continue throughout next week.

I'm hoping to publish more pictures than ever before and welcome contributions from all photographers.  I may be able to take hundreds myself but the more variety the better.

Email to murray@manxathletics.com or copy them onto a CD and drop them around to Milton House, Brunswick Road, Douglas.

Thanks.

Murray

A FEW TO WATCH - THE 2003 CLERICAL MEDICAL PARISH WALK IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE ONE OF THE BEST FINISHES EVER

Number 1 - Robbie Callister

The winner in 2001 and 2002, Robbie is not known for making big predictions but he does prepare with great commitment. The former 2.27.59 marathon runner is not an out and out race walker but carries the experience of victory and a steely determination which has been under estimated many times. It would be a major surprise if Robbie is not at or near the front of the field on Douglas promenade but nothing is certain and the weather could be this year's wild card.

Number 2 - Peter Kaneen

Peter's return has added a lot of spice to the event.  The 2000 winner missed the event the following two years to concentrate on his efforts to earn selection for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.  Although he failed to make the team he gained a lot of respect for his attempts. Peter is an extremely accomplished race walker but also an all rounder with good performances in the Mountain Marathon and the London Marathon. He is not committed to finishing but if he does he is unlikely to be second.

Number 324 - Kevin Walmsley

Kevin last walked in the event in 1991 when he finished at Jurby just within 10 hours. Described by one senior coach as the walker with the most potential of all in the Isle of Man, his race walking career has been dogged by injuries. In recent years he has been better known as the course director of the Parish Walk but as one of the Island's fastest ever 50km walkers and with a stack of training behind him, he a definitely the dark horse.

Number 18 - John Stubbs

Don't discount this man because his personal best is "only" 19.27. Since his last finish in 2000,  John has improved dramatically. Anyone who can walk 100 miles around a track, as he did in Blackpool last year, surely has the courage and commitment to go well at the weekend and he is fairly fast over the shorter distances as well.

Number 5 - David Doyle

The recently appointed Second Deemster has only walked the event twice. On the first occasion he did what very few people have done - finish at the first attempt. Last year he improved dramatically to break 18 hours and take third place. Certainly not the favourite to win but he has a habit of beating reasonable expectations.

Number 4 - Doug Allan

Second, third and second in the past three years could this be Doug's year? If the more fancied walkers fall by the wayside there is a possibility that this walker, one of a handful of Manx athletes to have competed on and off over five decades, could pull off the big one?

The above is not a top 6 prediction. It is only intended to provide a small amount of background to some of the leading competitors. Anyone who makes it back to Douglas promenade on Sunday morning will be a hero no matter what the time.

I started re-designing the www.parishwalk.com website in February intending to make it better than ever. Unfortunately the time spent on www.manxathletics.com prevented me from carrying out my intentions. It has finally been updated (although not to the extent planned).