People who take part in the Parish Walk will receive medals with pink ribbons this year as part of a campaign to encourage participants to raise funds for breast cancer charities, and raise awareness of the disease.

They’ll receive them when they finish at any check point from Santon till the end.

Race organiser Ray Cox said: ’Every year Parish Walkers raise around £600,000 for charity which is a phenomenal sum when you consider there are typically 1,500 to 1,700 people taking part.

’Of course, everyone who raises funds is free to choose the charity which they support, but this year the organising committee decided to highlight breast cancer charities because it’s a disease which touches the lives of so many people.’

Angie Aire MBE from Breast Cancer Now, who is a survivor of the disease for 17 years and also a seven-time Parish Walk finisher, said the pink ribbons are a great idea and she is delighted to see that the Parish Walk was doing its bit to support all breast cancer charities.

More than 1,600 walkers, including competitors from more than 20 nations and territories, have entered the Parish Walk, which starts on Saturday at the National Sports Centre.

Wherever they are in the world, friends and relatives of walkers can keep track of their progress by following live timing updates at www.parishwalk.com

The top three finishers in 2018 are all on the start list this year and have bib numbers which correspond to their finishing positions 12 months ago - Richard Gerrard (1), Liam Parker (2), and Pete Miller (3).

Women’s race champion Bernie Johnson is also on the start list with the bib number 12. Ewa Kowalewska (15th overall in 2018 and second in the women’s race) is number 15, and Karen Lawrie (19th in 2018 and third in the women’s race) is number 19.

Gary Lamb, the chief executive of event sponsor Manx Telecom, who has completed the full 85-mile distance on two occasions, said: ’We must say a big thank you to the organising team who work so hard to stage this fantastic event.

It really is a wonderful showcase for the island’s community spirit and on behalf of everyone at Manx Telecom I wish all of the competitors the best of luck, whether they are aiming to win, raising funds for charity, or using the event as their own personal challenge.’

The Parish Walk will start on the NSC athletics track at 8am.