Jock Waddington will be looking for a third consecutive title in 2010

Reigning Isle of Man Parish Walk champions Jock Waddington and Janice Quirk will look to defend their titles in June.

Waddington retained his title last year while Quirk became the fastest women in the event's history in finishing second to Waddington.

Olympic 400m runner Roger Black is also set to compete in this year's race.

The walk starts at 0800 BST at the National Sports Centre in Douglas on Saturday 26 June.

The event is an 85-mile race-walk around the 17 parishes of the island to be completed within 24 hours.

Last year Waddington completed the gruelling race in 15 hours 45 minutes and 56 seconds.

Speaking at the event's press launch on Thursday, Waddington told BBC Isle of Man: "My main priority is always to get round in one piece but obviously I would love to win it three years in a row."

Quirk finished just over 12 minutes behind Waddington last year, smashing Sandra Brown's ladies record by over 18 minutes in the process.

Quirk said: "I kept waiting to be overtaken but it didn't happen. I was absolutely ecstatic. I am already looking forward to this year's event."

Organisers of the Manx event are expecting more than 1,750 walkers to line up at the NSC in June.

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