The 36th Warriors Run, 27th August

On a warm afternoon, runners from all over Ireland converged in Strandhill, Co. Sligo, to compete in one of Ireland’s toughest competitive races. Classed as a road and hill, or multi-terrained race; the challenging 15K route takes competitors from the cannon gun at the beachfront in Strandhill to the summit of Knocknarea(1,070 ft.), around the megalithic Queen Maeve’s Cairn and back to the beachfront again. Nine of the kilometres are on paved roads, but it is the six kilometres in the middle that give the race its bite… including a gruelling 700 foot climb through fields, loose gravel, unsurfaced and heather paths, followed by an equally daunting rocky and slippery descent.

The Warriors Run title was won this year by Seamus Somers of Sligo AC in a sub one hour time of 57:10. Top female was Olympian Breege Connolly in a superb1:03:47.

Representing Larne AC was Martan and Juliane Keane who both know the route fairly well as they have been competing in this race since 2015.

Martan ran a strong race to finish in an impressive 15th position overall out of almost 1000 competitors in a time of 1:06:04.

Juliane finished 8th female and 112th place overall in a time of 1:19:39. This 10 minute PB over the course also earned Juliane the award for first Female Vet.

Always an enjoyable weekend away with amazing support along the route by locals and marshals, bespoke prizes and postrace celebrations in The Strand Bar. ( photos courtesy of Warriors Run FB page)