Expert advice on how to prepare for this year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk is on offer at a special evening on Tuesday, February 28.

Many walkers are starting to train in earnest for the big day on June 17, and this evening allow people to get tips from a panel of coaches, physios and experienced walkers who answer questions from the audience.

It is being held at Keyll Darree Education and Training Centre, near Noble’s Hospital. Doors open at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Entry is free, and tea, coffee and biscuits will be served. The event will last around 90 minutes.

On the expert panel will be: Stewart Jones, who began walking six years ago to get fit and is now a five-time Parish Walk finisher. He has completed 100-mile walking events in the Isle of Man and New York, and won the UK National 24-hour race walking event.

Roger Davies (Kuta Fitness personal trainer) is a four-time Parish Walk finisher and ultra-endurance runner who has completed the Marathon Des Sables.

Sharon Cain (experienced endurance walker) twice a finisher of the End to End Walk who completed the full Parish Walk on her sixth attempt.

Nicola Raven has completed three Parish Walks, one E2E and two Firefighters’ Memorial Walks.

David Walker (a doctor in emergency medicine at Noble’s Hospital) is a six-time Parish Walk finisher who has in October completed the Centurion walk in South Africa. He has several top finishes to his name in the End2End and Firefighters’ Memorial Walks.

Ben Scott (sports therapist and ultra-distance athlete) has completed five (or is it now six!?) races more than 100 miles and is an Isle of Man Marathon winner.

Gavin Smith (Manx Telecom marketing communications manager) completed the Parish Walk in 2015 and the following year was support crew for a finisher.

Parish Walk race director Ray Cox commented: ’Tuesday’s event will provide an opportunity to find out about training, nutrition, footwear and to get tips from the experts on tackling the island’s biggest walking challenge.

’The evening is aimed at all abilities with the focus very much on providing advice for the majority of participants who are aiming to achieve personal goals, especially those taking part for the first time.’

Manx Telecom retail staff will be present to showcase FitBit devices, great for tracking training progress and assisting motivation, and mobile chargers to ensure the phone charge lasts on race day.

l To enter the Manx Telecom Parish Walk go to www.parishwalk.com - sign up before March 31 for £35. The fee is £40 from April 1 until the final closing date on May 7.