Police and the Parish Walk committee are urging members of the public to hold off from taking on the 85-mile route until next year.

The announcement came after the committee and police were made aware of some people planning to walk the route this weekend.

’This would not be sanctioned by the Parish Walk committee, who have experience, knowledge and safety information in running the event. As such, it is not something that the police would be able to endorse either,’ a police spokesman said.

The event was originally scheduled for this Saturday (June 20), but due to Covid-19 it was cancelled on March 23. Next year’s event scheduled to take place on June 19.

The event normally requires extensive planning over 11 months, including risk assessments, traffic management including road closures, speed restriction, diversions, extensive marshaling, police patrols and signage across 85 miles.

The police spokesman added: ’The importance of all these safety measures cannot be over emphasised, particularly during the hours of darkness.’

The event, which raises funds for the Manx Harriers Young Athletes’ Travel Fund, gives people the chance to walk through the island’s 17 parishes.