Warriors get ready to run
Preparations are entering the final phase for the 26th annual Warriors Run which has attracted a maximum field of 800 competitors to Strandhill on Saturday, August 28th next. According to the organisers interest in the 2010 event has been "phenomenal" for what is generally regarded as one of the country’s toughest tests of athletic endurance.
The cap on entries for safety reasons was reached in record time earlier this year and the Strandhill Festival Committee decided to hold a lottery for those who hoped to fill the void by cancellations notified in advance. A total of 151 applications were received and 27 winners were announced last week. The organisers also extended the deadline for the transfer of registered runners by one week to Friday last to allow any runner unable to take part to nominate a substitute competitor.
"At this stage it certainly is all systems go and the countdown to the run has begun in earnest," said Festival P.R.O., Miki Murray. "We had absolutely no problem filling the full compliment of 800 runners and the fact that this was initially done in record time shows the popularity of the event," he declared.
Last year’s winner, Kenyan runner, Josphat Baoit, a member of Clonliffe Harriers Athletic Club, will not defend his title having posted one of the fastest times on record in 2009 to claim the 25th anniversary prize.
Sligo’s Emmet Dunleavy, who was third last time out, is included in the field and is counted among the favourites, while former winners Damien McSharry and Martin Bradshaw also take part. The route for the run remains the same, with the start at 3.00p.m. sharp from the cannon gun at the beachfront. From there is proceeds along Buenos Aires Drive, over Culleenamore and up the Glen where at the scenic view the runners will take to a field prior to tackling the mountain before the return.
The run is a multi-terrained 15k stretch and the finish is at the beachfront where hundreds of spectators gather to welcome the warriors back to Strandhill. The organisers have again stressed that traffic and parking restrictions will be in place on the day and people are being encourged to use shuttle buses which will be operated by Bus Eireann from 10a.m. and running regularly thereafter. Runners are asked to note that they must collect their race packs by 2.00p.m. with the race starting an hour later.
Registration for the Warriors Fun Walk is available on the day and the event time limit is set at 2.5 hours with a ‘broom wagon’ in operation thereafter.
"At this stage we are all looking forward to the event and further details will be announced in the weeks ahead," said the P.R.O.
