Strandhill village is 8 kilometres west of Sligo town, situated on the Atlantic seaboard and nestled at the foot of Knocknarea Mountain. On it’s summit (1,070 ft), sits a megalithic cairn where Maeve the legendary Queen of Connaught is reputedly buried.
Each year runners from all over Ireland (and various parts of the world) converge on Strandhill to follow in the footsteps of her ancient warriors.
The Warriors Run takes competitors from the Cannon Gun at the beachfront in Strandhill to the top of Knocknarea, around Queen Maeve’s Cairn and back to the beachfront again. For the uninitiated, a 15 Kilometre race might seem easy. Not the Warriors Run! The race is classified as a road and hill race or multi-terrained, so whilst approximately nine of its kilometres are on paved roads, it is the special six kilometres in the middle, to the top of Knocknarea that gives the race its bite. These six kilometres include a 700 foot climb through fields, loose gravel, unsurfaced and heather paths. At its steepest incline on the way up, even the most professional athlete slows to a walk and then braces themselves to face the equally daunting downhill run, back down the often slippery slopes, even in the driest of weather.
Route Information – subject to slight change each year
From the beachfront at Strandhill the race starts up along the Shore Road to the junction at St Patrick’s RC Church and Spar Shop. It takes the uphill road to the right, which will bring it up Buenos Aires Drive to the top junction to the Top Road in Strandhill.
A 90-degree right will bring the race along the Top Road through Strandhill Village and then downhill into Culleenamore. It continues along the main road through Culleenduff before reaching the Glen Road junction.
The uphill climb now begins as the race goes up the steep Glen Road. At the small car park beyond the entrance to the Glen, the race takes a left onto private land and continues up the mountain along its ridge and onto the top approaching the Cairn from the South.
Once on top of Knocknarea, it turns left and runs around the base of the cairn in a clockwise direction and starts back down the mountain path onto the Tourist trail. Back through the mountain car park onto the Glen Road it turns left through Grange North and continues along this road until reaching the crossroads.
Taking a 90-degree left it continues along this road through Rathcarrick and starts back down to the main road via the High Brea and past St Anne’s COI Church.
Back onto the main Sligo road it turns left for Strandhill and continues past the Petrol Station leading back into Strandhill Village.
At the roundabout, it keeps left up to the junction at Kellys Bar and back down Buenos Aires Drive. Its final leg is back along the Shore Road to the finish line at the Beachfront.
More info…
- Admission fees: Registration for the Warriors Run is now closed
- Open: August 23rd
- Parking: Limited Parking – please contact the organiser
Strandhill
Strandhill is a remarkable village that boasts world class surf condition, a world class links golf course, a beautiful beach, stunning landscape and gorgeous cafes, bars and restaurants. It is home to the National Surf Centre where you can enjoy a hot shower, clean changing facilities and book surf lessons. They have a fabulous room available for hire that is ideal for corporate groups with a stunning sea view.
It’s name in Irish is An Leathros which loosely translates as ‘The half promontory’ and it is just a short distance from Sligo town. You can hop on the S2 bus which connects it with Sligo town and on to Rosses Point village. Sligo Airport is based here along with remote working hubs and festivals and events regularly held throughout the year.
This is a fantastic coastal seaside location and always popular with families. Please note that swimming is forbidden on Strandhill beach due to the extremely dangerous rip tides.
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