PAISLEY PIRATES

Paisley Pirates fans will take to the streets in a few weeks’ time as they participate in the forthcoming Paisley 10k and 3k runs which will be held in the town on Sunday 21 August, then take part in the Pedal for Scotland bike ride which takes place the following month on 11 September.

“The main Paisley Pirates club has been promoting the concept of healthier and fitter lifestyles in the past year in particular,” said chairman Bill Elliot. “The club abandoned the traditional Man of the Match case of beer last season to replace it with healthier isotonic energy drinks at the end of matches. Last month, it announced a sponsorship deal with Renfrewshire Sports Charity, who now run the ProLife Fitness Suite, which amongst other benefits will allow Pirates’ fans big discounts on membership fees, so it’s a natural progression for the Supporters Club to encourage fans to get out their trainers and take part in the 10k or 3k run in the town on 21 August, while the Pedal for Scotland event 3 weeks later will be an attraction for those who prefer pedalling activity for their exercise.”

He went on, “It won’t be the first time that supporters and players have taken part in the 10k event, as a few have done so in the past, but this time the 3k also allows those who are maybe not in the Mo Farah class just yet to join in. We know that quite often people taking part in these events will run for a favourite club or charity, so we’ve set up a Just Giving link at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/paisleypirates70 so that supporters, if they so wish, can raise money at the same time, all of which will go to their favourite ice hockey team, and the same strategy applies for anyone taking part in the Pedal for Scotland event. It’s a lot of fun, it’s good for you, and you can raise money for a favourite cause all at the one time!”

“Supporters wishing to know how they can sign up for the Paisley 10k or 3k runs can go to www.renfrewshireleisure.com/10k-sign-up/, while anyone interested in taking part in the Pedal for Scotland bike ride can similarly go to their website for information on how to register. A few of us went to the Glasgow 10k run last weekend and it was a great day out for everyone, spectators and participants alike, with folk who never thought they’d take part in such an event really surprising themselves, so we’re hoping supporters will come along, maybe run or even walk as a team, or with friends for example, and get themselves doing something which they would maybe never have considered before. Those supporters we’ve already spoken to have said, “You know, that sounds like fun”, and we know that a number of fans have already committed to doing it, so we’re hoping that a lot more will sign up and run or pedal not just for the Paisley Pirates, but for themselves!”