Four-times Parish Walk winner Jock Waddington is taking it easy
this year. He is only planning to go to Peel on Saturday.
In fairness, it's because last week he won 100-mile the Dutch
Centurion walking race in Rotterdam! Although he felt an ankle
injury that he's been nursing this year, he triumphed at Princess
Beatrix Park.
Besides, the definition of taking it easy appears to be a little
different if you can walk around the gruelling 85-mile Parish Walk
in about 15 hours.
Jock dominated the Parish Walk, winning four times on the bounce,
from 2008-11. The last of those saw him complete the course, that
takes you to every parish in the Island, in a time of 15 hours, one
minute and 48 seconds. In 2012 he did not race, but was back last
year, finishing third.
Photo - Jock is pictured celebrating winning the 2010 Parish Walk. (Picture: Murray Lambden, www.parishwalk.com and www.manxathletics.com).
He said: 'I am going to Peel this year that is the
plan.'
While his feet are sore from heading a strong Manx contingent in
the Netherlands, he believes he will be good to go, although he
admits it might be just as well he is not aiming to finish this
time.
However, he plans to complete the course again in future years. 'I
don't think it will be competitively, I will just try to notch up
10 finishes and call it day.'
He now competes in race walks across Europe, but it was the Parish
Walk that opened his eyes to the sport and, he said, when a Manx
contingent travels to compete in a long-distance walk, it can take
some opponents by surprise just how good they are.
We all know which race we have to thank for that.
Jock came to the Parish Walk relatively late, after joining the
Merchant Navy at the age of 16 and travelling around the world. His
first time in the race was only 10 years ago.
Now, there are few people better qualified than Jock to offer
advice to Parish Walk competitors, including debutants.
'The first thing is have a target,' he said. 'A lot of people say
"I will see how far I can go" - as soon as it starts to hurt you,
or it goes wrong, that is it. If you say "get to Peel" you have a
choice and so have a chance.'
'Don't go too fast. It is very easy to get sucked in.'
'Nutrition and liquids are important. Keep eating, keep drinking to
replace energy you are using on the walk around.'
He added: 'For the complete first-timer, it is a big learning
curve. The first time I did it in 2004, I had done two and a half
months' training and I was convinced I would get round through
mental attitude.'
'I didn't, I got as far as Kirk Michael and thought I was going to
die. Enthusiasm will only get you so far.'
Undeterred, Jock was back the next year and this time, he made it
round the entire course
He has completed the course eight times and last year, after his
break in 2012, came in third behind Michael George and Richard
Gerrard. Michael's winning time was an astonishing 14.44.49, with
Richard at 14.50.59. Jock came in at 15.12.39.
The actual record time is shared by Richard Gerrard and Vinny
Lynch, who shared the 2012 title in an incredible 14.42.32.
Jock's best in 2011 is the seventh fastest time ever.
He thinks there is a good chance the current Parish Walk record
will last for a number of years.
But he added that it's not just about those at the head of the
field.
'The Parish Walk has such a special aspect for the general public.
More or less everybody must be involved. If they are not competing
they know someone who is or they are offering food and drink out on
the route.'
He said there were many special moments over the years, while his
favourite and least favourite sections of the course have changed
with differing experiences.
One thing still stands out.
'The first finish is a brilliant feeling: you start blubbing like a
big girl!'
The Manx Telecom Parish Walk starts at the National
Sports Centre in Douglas at 8am. This article first appeared in the
Manx
Advertiser.