Oisin McGrath Foundation Run/Jog/Walk 5k or 10k

The Oisín McGrath Foundation is delighted to announce their first Run/Jog/Walk 5k/10k for Oisín that will take place on Sunday 18th Oct @ 1 pm. This is a new 5k/10k route in Belcoo and promises to be a fun-filled event for all our recreational runners and walkers as well as a challenging and rewarding experience for seasoned athletes. It is hoped that this will become an annual event and we encourage as many people as possible to take part and those who are not taking part to come along to lend their support to the runners and walkers. We advise as many participants as possible to pre-register for the event either through the Athletics NI website or one of the following sessions: Belcoo Community Centre Sat 10th Oct 8 pm Fermanagh House, Enniskillen Tues 13th Oct 3.45 – 5.00 pm South West College, Enniskillen Wed 14th Oct 12.30 – 2.00 pm Belcoo Community Centre Sat 17th Oct 8 pm Registration will also take place at Belcoo Community Centre from 11 am on the morning of the event and pre-registered participants will collect their numbers here also. 10k entry is open to runners aged 16 years or over, costing £12 and 5k (£8) is open to both adults and kids (U16s £5) – children U11 must be accompanied by an adult. The event is licensed by Athletics NI, chip-timed and professionally measured. The gathering place for all registered participants is the Cottage Meadow in Belcoo, where the mass warm up will be led by DJ Shorty. Refreshments and prize giving will take place in the Community Centre. We have a range of spot prizes as well as the prizes for winners. Race Director, Nigel McGrath, said: “Whatever your age or ability, this event is about getting the whole family and community active, while having fun and raising money and awareness for Oisín’s Foundation and its objectives. The NI Organ Donation team will be represented at the event and we thank them for giving up their precious time to support us.” “It’s fantastic to have an event that appeals to runners of all levels, from elite and club runners to those taking part in their first organised run/walk.” Thanks The main event sponsors are Steelweld Fabrication Ltd, Cookstown and Quinn Building Products, Derrylin with many other local businesses and friends also sponsoring. We are completely overwhelmed by the support we have received from our sponsors and we could not run the event without them. The people of Fermanagh and beyond have showed a generosity of spirit towards us that we cannot begin to describe. Huge thanks to you all. We are also forging a new relationship with the Fermanagh Trust and are extremely grateful for all their help and guidance. The other people we could not do this without are the scores of volunteers who have come forward, the registration team, the car park attendants, the marshals, the water guys, those looking after the refreshments and the back room team who have been working away over the last months – thanks to you all. What else is happening? The week before the event is a very busy one for us; on 12th October we are travelling to Belfast to accept an award from The Order of St John for Organ Donation and the promotion of organ donation is something that remains very close to our hearts. All 5 of Oisín’s organ recipients are enjoying newfound health and life thanks to Oisín. We also ask for your prayers and best wishes for our friend Tara Feeley who is currently recovering from a liver transplant. On 14th Oct the Ulster Schools GAA Council will launch the Oisín McGrath trophy which will be battled for by up to 60 schools. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Schools Council and to Pat Blake and his wife Bernie for their sponsorship of the amazing Oisín McGrath trophy for Section A which really is something very very special. We would love you all to come along to walk or run and to celebrate Oisín’s memory, it has been a horrendous eight months without him and we are continuing to struggle with what has happened to him. Oisín loved life and his spirit will be very much alive in Belcoo on Oct 18th. For anyone wishing to support this charity event whether as a business sponsor or marshal, please contact oisinsfoundation@hotmail.com. You can also keep up to date via the event’s Facebook page and Twitter feed @oisinsmemory.