There’s no need for Parish Walkers to lose time taking selfies this year, thanks to an ingenious photo system which instantly uploads race day pictures to Facebook. For the second year running everyone entered into the Manx Telecom Parish Walk has the option of signing up for Pic2Go, a free service provided by the event’s title sponsor.

Here’s how it works. Thousands of pictures will be taken by official event photographers on the day, and when they are downloaded by the team of snappers special software recognises the unique barcode on the race number of walkers who have registered for Pic2Go. This means that photos can then be automatically uploaded to the Facebook page of every walker who has chosen the service.

Race Director Ray Cox said: “Pic2Go proved to be really popular last year with almost half of the entrants opting for the service, and I’m sure it will be even more popular this year. It’s a great way for even more people to share in the fun and excitement on race day.”

Voirrey Barron, Marketing Communications Manager at Manx Telecom, said: “Ever since Manx Telecom became the Parish Walk’s title sponsor in 2012 we have used our expertise in technology to enhance the experience of competitors, and their friends and family. Pic2Go is a perfect example of how we do that because it relies on our 4G mobile network which enables the official photographers to upload thousands of photos while out on location.”

The 4G network will also allow video of the race to be streamed live online for the first time. Well-known Isle of Man athletics enthusiast Murray Lambden will be videoing the action and streaming it live at www.parishwalk.com on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June. It will begin before the event starts at 8am at the NSC with Murray interviewing some of the walkers, and continuing with coverage of the start as hundreds set off around the running track. As a minimum, there will coverage via static cameras near the Santon and Peel checkpoints, and when the first finishers cross the line in Douglas late on Saturday evening, Murray will be there to capture the live action and speak to the winners and leading finishers.

If you have entered this year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk, you can register for Pic2Go at www.manxtelecom.com/parishphotos – it is run on an ‘opt in’ basis so only those who register will have their photos sent to Facebook. After the event, Pic2Go will photos will be available online to search by race number for anyone who wants to download higher resolution images. Also after the event, all competitors will have the opportunity to search for photos by race number at www.isleofman.in and purchase higher resolution digital images or order prints, with all profits going to charity.

Due to regeneration works in Peel, organisers were recently considering having to make a slight change to the traditional route. However, because work by Island Drainage and Groundworks (IDG) is progressing well it will now be possible to provide pedestrian access in the area where work is being carried out – and this means walkers will be able to take the usual route through Peel. Race Director Ray Cox said he and the organising committee wanted to express their thanks to IDG and the Department of Infrastructure for their help in enabling the walk to take place without any detours.