Still time to sign up for the first Western Isles Men’s 5k!

Calling all men! If you are still thinking about taking part, or have yet to return your registration form for the Men’s 5K being held on Saturday November 23, don’t worry – there’s still plenty of time. 

However, Registration Forms and entrance fee payment must be returned to the Lewis Sports Centre by no later than Thursday November 21st.

With the Western Isles’ first Men’s 5K fast approaching, registrations are continuing to be received from men, teams, and boys aged over 12 – but even more men are needed to help raise awareness of male cancers and raise valuable funds for local male cancer charities in the Western Isles. 

It’s worth remembering that, through your efforts, all monies raised will go towards providing valuable aid to local men and their families affected by cancer.

Registration starts from 12noon on the Stornoway Rugby Pitch, with the event officially starting at 1pm. Changing and showering facilities have been made available for entrants at the All Weather Pitch at Smith Avenue. 

The route will see entrants, whether walking, jogging or running, start from the Rugby Pitch, head towards Cuddy Point and travel out towards Creed Mouth, onwards to the Iron Well, continuing round past the Gallows Hill junction, down towards Cuddy Point, to finally finish at the Rugby Pitch. Volunteer marshals will also be available throughout the route.

As well as individual entrants, organisers also hope to encourage a number of 3-man teams made up of males with a range of ages and fitness levels. An award for the team with the nearest time of 1 hour 30 minutes will be made.

Registration forms are available at a variety of local outlets and workplaces, or any Council or NHS Western Isles location, or online at: www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk. Designed to suit everyone’s budget, entrance fees are as follows: Adults (over 18s): £5, Under 18s: £3, and 3-man teams: £10. Those who register may also wish to pick up a Men’s 5K sponsor form, in order to help raise additional funds. 

Participants and supporters are asked to park their vehicles at the College car park in order to avoid congestion at the Golf Club and surrounding areas.

Specially designed black T-shirts featuring the Men’s 5K logo can also be purchased from the Lewis Sports Centre from 18^th November, at £8 each. The Men’s 5K design, which features the  Lews Castle background with runner crossing the finish line, is hoped to be worn by those taking part, but can also be purchased by those who wish to simply support the event and help to raise additional funds.

Following the Men’s 5K, participants will also be offered the opportunity to take part in a cool-down Yoga Session provided free of charge by Carlyoga.

Continuing with the Movember theme, free soup and ‘man-wiches’ are also being offered, courtesy of the Lewis & Harris Rangers Supporter Club, to participants directly afterwards, at their branch at 19 Inaclete Road, Stornoway.

Later in the evening, the ‘50 Shades of Red’ celebratory evening dance is being held in the Stornoway Golf Club from 10pm, with popular local band ‘Ugly Violet’. All are encouraged to attend (over 18s only), entry £3 – but Men’s 5K entrants and men sporting a specially grown ‘Mo’ will be admitted free of charge.

Finally, with the Men’s 5K coinciding with Movember, it is hoped that a large number of entrants will race wearing their own specially grown ‘Mo’.

So come on all you coves, guys and dudes – register your entry for the Men’s 5K and help support men and families affected by cancer in the Western Isles.

NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion Department and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sport & Health Department would like to sincerely express their thanks to a number of local companies who have provided sponsorship and assistance towards the event. These include The Hebridean Men’s Cancer Support Group, MacMillan Cancer Support (Stornoway branch), The Stornoway Trust, Autoparts Stornoway Ltd, MacGregor Industrial Supplies, Lewis & Harris Youth Club Association, Scottish Water, Mathiesign, Stornoway Golf Club, Lewis & Harris Rangers Supporters Club, and Carlyoga.