Archery GB is hosting the 2024 Run Archery European Cup at the legendary home of archery, Sherwood Forest.
Over 80 participants from across Europe will be competing in the event at the historic site, best known as Robin Hood’s stomping ground. Witness the perfect blend of accuracy and athleticism with this new, growing discipline of archery.
The competition will run from 11-13 October, with athletes representing a large range of European countries. One of these competitors is two-time Olympian Tom Hall, who came back from the Paris Games this summer having finished in an impressive ninth place.
Come along and watch the action for yourself! Spectating is free, available to all, and a lot of fun. We’d recommend coming to see the Finals when the European champions will be crowned, which will take place from 13:50 BST on Saturday 12 October and from 10:40 BST on Sunday 13 October. Entry for spectators is free but don’t forget to prepare yourself for anything the British weather could throw at you and bring a camping chair or a picnic blanket in case you want to take a seat.
Organisers, Archery GB, have teamed up with The RSPB, which manages the 450-acre Sherwood Forest reserve near the village of Edwinstowe, Edwinstowe Cricket Club and Newark and Sherwood District Council, to bring the event to the world-famous Nottinghamshire woodland.
Run Archery combines running distances of up to four kilometres and shooting arrows at targets set up in a secure archery range. The event at Sherwood will include a mixture of individual, team, and mixed team sprint races, including relays. Competitors run with their bow in their hands and shoot arrows over a distance of 18 metres.
The sprint routes at this event will follow the boundary of the Edwinstowe Cricket Club ground in Forest Corner. The 4km races will see competitors running around the cricket pitch, before joining the bridleway and Major Oak trail in the forest.
Arran Coggan, Head of Sport Development at Archery GB, said: We hope that you enjoy your time with us, and we are sure that the event promises to be a remarkable gathering of talent, skill, and sportsmanship."
Hollie Drake, RSPB Senior Site Manager for Sherwood Forest, said: "We're thrilled to have been selected to host this prestigious event in the Run Archery calendar.
"It seems like a natural fit for this event to come to this special woodland, which inspired the stories and ballads of the world's most famous archer.
"We hope our visitors this weekend will be just as inspired to take up the sport themselves after watching some of the action."
