Great excitement as the 33rd
SATURDAY AUGUST 26
T’S ALL systems go for the 2017 Warriors Run which will take place in Strandhill on Saturday 26th August at 3pm. The hugely popular run began in 1985 as part of the Sligo Summer Festival and down through the years has now become one of the “must do” events on the athletics calendar. And on the 26th, over 1000 competitors will tackle the gruelling 15 kilometre course that will take them from the Cannon Gun at the beachfront in Strandhill to the top of Knocknarea, around Queen Maeves Cairn and back to the beachfront again.
“The Warriors Run is different from other races” states PRO of the organising committee Micki Murray. “We encourage the runners to stay in the village afterwards and soak up the festival type atmosphere we try to create. This builds a great camaraderie amongst participants and we have runners coming back year after year from all around the country and from overseas to take part”.
With runners expected from all around the country and a number coming in from abroad, this year’s race is expected to be very exciting with a number of previous winners vying to regain their title. And whether they are 1st or 901st, each runner who crosses the line will receive a beautifully commissioned Warriors Run Medal they can proudly wear to confirm their achievement.
There are plenty of other events taking place on the day with a Young Warriors Run, for 12 to 16 year olds, taking off directly after the main run takes off. The 5K run around Strandhill Village had it’s inaugural staging three years ago and has proved very popular since. Prizes for the first Male and Female Young Warrior will be presented and first across the line will receive a new special perpetual shield introduced this year by the Walton Family in memory of Mick Walton. After that The Warriors Walk will get under way and walkers will follow a 10K route that follows the road section of The Warriors Run. The Walk is usually a fun event and a selection of entrants usually receive spot prizes from being picked from a hat.
And for the main runners, preparations are well in place for the day and the Festival Marquee will be open at the beachfront from 6pm to 8.30pm on Friday 25th and on Saturday 26th from 11am to 2.30pm for participants to collect their race packs. Runners can avail of shower and changing facilities at the Runners Village at Strandhill Community Park where there will also be refreshments and physios available after the race.