This years Church to Church Walk will see teams from the Isle of Man taking part for the first time. Entries have been received from Sean Hands, Michael & Irene George, Jock Waddington, Vinny Lynch, Simon & Maureen Cox and Marie Jackson who will represent either Manx Harriers or Isle of Man Vets. The team competition being for teams of five, men, women or mixed, with three to score. There have been other names mentioned from IOM but as yet not entered. (church walk site with details and entry forms etc at http://churchtochurch.wordpress.com/.)
Other newcomers to the Guernsey walk, Helen and Vince Starling from Redcar RWC in the north of England have also entered, along with past competitor Bernie Hercock from Enfield. There should now be keen competition between the leading Guernsey walkers and those from Isle of Man. I think I am correct in stating that most of the Isle of Man entries have finished their own version of the 19.4 miles Church to Church Walk, namely the 85 miles Parish Walk. Two different distances with the same idea…..walk between the Parish Churches as quickly as possible!
Although there has to be a winner, there is a generous time limit in Guernsey of five and a half hours, giving all walkers plenty of time to complete the 19.4 miles course.
Two “new ” trophies are on offer this year for Guernsey Under 25 men and Under 25 women. The old Under 19 trophies which were donated many years ago when young walkers were allowed to race have had an increase in age to Under 25. This is due to hardly any walkers in recent years being Under 19 with a now minimum age of 17 years for walkers. Overseas walkers at Under 25 beating a Guernsey Under 25 will receive an award as well.
Individual walkers have walked from IOM in the past in the Church Walk. Steve Partington recorded 2.35.03 in 1992 and Neil Bates 3.00.54 in 2003, both finishing in second place. Surrey walker Mark Easton was the winner on both occasions! Ex IOM residents Terry and Carol Bates (pictured left), now living in Guernsey have recorded 3.13.05 and 4.02.23 in recent years.
