The Amnesty International Orkney 5 Barriers Fun Run was held on Sunday 6^th September. On a day of torrential rain, it was feared that the event may have to be cancelled, but the rain stopped at 2.30 – ready for a 3pm start! The wind calmed a little and the road dried up and at the end – the sun came out in a blue sky! Despite the morning conditions, 50 people turned up regardless, complete with a variety of canine participants, and all survived and enjoyed the outing. 

First across the line of the 6.5-mile quarter marathon was Vikki Budge in a great time of 45 minutes and 8 seconds. Runners up included Mervyn Hourston (49:29), Dawn Williams (50:12) and Jo and Eric Birkett at 51:27 and 51:39 respectively. Lewis Kerr (15) was the first junior, in a very respectable 8^th place  at 55:23.  Lewis (8) and Erin (10) MacLeod both crossed the line in 1:14:49. Many congratulations to all.

Everyone completed the course in under 2 hours, even those enjoying a sedate walk and with all the dogs well behaved and safely through to the finish line!

Many thanks go to the Holm Football Club who stepped in as our start venue – and hosted us brilliantly despite the mild chaos at the start of the event – and to the Sands Hotel in Burray, who once again, provided very welcome soup and refreshments for the finishers and organisers. Thanks also to all the many volunteer marshals, drinks station providers, first-aid- and back-marker vehicle and the much-appreciated starter and time-keepers. We also hugely appreciated the efforts of OIC Roads department in cutting the verges before the event!

We believe over £1000 has been raised, with the final total to include sponsorship still to come in, for Amnesty Internationals’ work to defend universal human rights. Naming of the Churchill Barriers after some of the barriers to human rights – ‘torture’, ‘disappearances’, ‘death penalty’, ‘child soldiers’ and ‘injustice’ – also raises awareness of some of the issues Amnesty International are involved with.

Sue Struthers, Amnesty International, Orkney Branch