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.
Whether you're travelling to Sligo to take on the challenge of the Warriors Run or to cheer on family and friends, make the most of your visit with a stay at Sligo Park Hotel. Arrive the night before to relax and prepare for race day, or unwind afterwards with a comfortable overnight stay. Wake up to a delicious breakfast, the perfect way to fuel your run or recover after crossing the finish line. With spacious accommodation, complimentary parking, and excellent leisure facilities, Sligo Park Hotel is the ideal base for your Warriors Run weekend.
