Anyone feeling inspired by the summer of sport with the football World Cup and after Wimbledon in July should consider giving the Amnesty Orkney 5 Barrier Fun Run a go this year.
The event is being held on Sunday 6th September at 3.00pm. The run of 6.5 miles starts in Holm, crosses the 4 Churchill Barriers, with a return across the fourth Barrier to finish at the Sands Motel in Burray Village.
It should be noted that this year, the start point will be at the Holm Football Club, not the Barrier View Café as previously. Running is not compulsory and there are always lots of walkers too – with dogs on leads and children in buggies!
The Orkney group of Amnesty International started the Five Barriers Fun Run in 1999 and it became an annual event up to 2010. After a few interruptions the event restarted in 2017 only to be curtailed again by Covid and weather but returned in 2024 and it is hoped that this year will be bigger than ever.
This has always been a very successful fund-raising event for Amnesty from entry fees and sponsorship, but it also raises awareness of Amnesty’s aims, with each of the Barriers named after particular ‘barriers’ to Human Rights, including Torture, Disappearances, Death Penalty, Child Soldiers and Injustice.
Drivers are asked to be very aware of runners on the Barriers between 3.00 and 5.00pm on the afternoon of Sunday 6th September and please drive slowly and with care. Amnesty Orkney apologises for any inconvenience, but this is only for 2 hours and drivers’ patience is very much appreciated to ensure a safe and enjoyable event.
Entry- and sponsorship forms are available from:
- Pickaquoy Centre
- Trek and Travel in Kirkwall
- the library
- shops in Stromness
- shops in the Hope.
All images credit Mike Robertson.
