LONG ROAD OUT OF EDEN JURBY (Part one)

I was delighted to receive an invitation from four-times winner Jock Waddington to be one of the Parish Walk ‘bloggers’ for 2023. The event has given me (as well as hundreds of others on the Island) a great deal of pleasure over the years, though also much pain and disappointment! It is also humbling to see the calibre of some of my blogging predecessors, whilst I will be following my fellow scribe (and 2021- and 2022-Women’s winner) Sammy Bowden’s tips with interest, as you are never too old to learn…

Walking Background

I first entered the Parish Walk back in 1999 without really knowing much about it apart from being aware that my brother Allen had taken part in the event around twenty years previously with his school friend Murray Lambden. Since that date I have taken part every year it has been held up to and including 2021, having a best performance of reaching Maughold in 2015 (yes, I know I should have done better!).

In 2022 I ‘reluctantly’ had to miss the event to attend my goddaughter Charlotte Quarrie’s wedding to Kevin Harding in Dubrovnik; though through the wonders of mobile data I was able to keep up to date with the progress of Paul, Richard, Liam, Dean and co throughout the day! So, in 2023 our holiday is definitely a week after the event.

In the historic results you will find me under Colin S.(for Stephen) Moore due to the number of namesakes who have competed over the years, including Colin William Moore, who lives in my former (and ‘spiritual’) home of Peel, whilst in the early years my ability was often erroneously confused with Colin Moore of Bingley Harriers fame, who had taken up residence here. If only!

I still love to compete in the Winter Walks League and Spring and Autumn handicaps, whilst have several times struggled up the Howe in the End to End. Belatedly, I have tried my hand in events across the water, managing just over forty miles this year at Middlesbrough in the Centurions race before the two hours' monsoon sapped the will to continue (a common failing – help needed!). Finally in 2017 I bizarrely became British Masters 55-59 age group champion for 20 miles at Bury St. Edmonds, though that is a story for a future blog!

What will be posted in this blog over the next six months?

Within each posting I aim to share my personal thoughts and experiences around everything leading up to the ‘big day’: the process of entering the event, training (mileage and location), support, technology, preparation (clothing, food and equipment), the course itself plus I will add some commentary on the local racing walking events which take place in 2023.

In addition, I will aspire to write a few paragraphs now and again about my adventures over the previous quarter of a century ‘on the day‘ itself as seen from the middle of the field (diaries are a wonderful thing when one’s memory is not what it was!), plus reminiscences about some of the outstanding athletes and characters who have graced the event since 1999.  Not forgetting ‘the puddle’!

Aspiration for 2023 event

When the gun sounds at eight o’clock at the NSC I will 12 days off my 64^th birthday, and years of walking on cambers have given me a dodgy right hip/pelvis, which necessitates a trip down to ‘Follan’ every year (other sports therapists are available). However, I am aiming to give this my best shot (as there is no hiding place as a blogger!) and at the very least try once more to solve the conundrum that is the spire of Bride church. When it is first sighted the next check-in always seems ‘just round the corner’ though I am sure this is an optical illusion; ten minutes later you are no nearer! If I can turn that corner at Bride for the first occasion since 2015, I will gladly lap up the applause from those great supporters at Andreas. However, should I test the patience of those who have vowed to keep the Maughold festivities going until the last walker has reached that check-in point then it will certainly be me who is applauding them!

 

Being supported (literally!) by son Andrew and Garry Curtis in 2019 at Bride.

Parish record 1999-2022

Year	Parish reached	Time	Distance
1999	Peel	08:07:13	32.5 miles
2000	Peel	07:58:21	32.5 miles
2001	Michael	10:07:00	39 miles
2002	Ballaugh	10:19:00	42 miles
2003	Jurby	11:40:00	45 miles
2004	Peel	08:42:07	32.5 miles
2005	Michael	10:48:00	39 miles
2006	Peel	09:09:00	32.5 miles
2007	Bride	14:31:39	52.5 miles
2008	Michael	10:23:52	39 miles
2009	Ballaugh	11:08:46	42 miles
2010	Bride	14:16:05	52.5 miles
2011	Andreas	14:47:49	55.5 miles
2012	Bride	14:12:37	52.5 miles
2013	Lezayre	16:35:39	61.5 miles
2014	Bride	14:58:41	52.5 miles
2015	Maughold	19:18:32	67 miles
2016	Bride	14:49:50	52.5 miles
2017	Peel	08:18:14	32.5 miles
2018	Peel	07:58:27	32.5 miles
2019	Bride	15:13:52	52.5 miles
2020	No event		0 miles
2021	Jurby	12:27:40	45 miles
2022	Did not enter		0 miles

 A total of 985 miles. So, when I reach Malew church (15 miles) after circa three and a half hours on 24 June 2023 I will briefly reflect on the events of the past before swiftly turning my attentions to the thought of Ballakillowey an hour hence!