Crate Escape
Crate Escape is a men-only, paired fun run held at Ballymena Rugby Club on 28 August 2026. Each two-person team carries a beer crate over a two-mile route to raise funds and awareness for AWARE NI, a Northern Ireland charity focused on depression. The format is side-by-side rather than face-to-face, with a light-hearted setting and an emphasis on encouraging conversation about mental health.
Entries open on 10 July 2026 and close on 27 August 2026. The entry fee is £20 per person and the event price includes alcohol-free beer and a BBQ for participants. Spectators and family members pay separately for the BBQ.
On the day there are planned family activities and event features including a kids' colour run, an ice cream van, a DJ and event commentator, and a bar at the rugby club. Soft drinks are provided for runners. Partners and supporters include Ballymena Running Club for route and event planning, Ballymena Rugby Club for the venue and logistics, The Sober Irish supplying alcohol-free beer for runners, and Maine Soft Drinks supplying crates and fizzy drinks. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.