Sanctuary Runners is calling on people in Athlone to unite and help build a running, jogging and walking group.
Focusing on solidarity, friendship and respect with all in the community including, and especially, asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants, Sanctuary Runners have been coming together at runs and events since 2018 and have established 35 groups across Ireland.
“We’ve seen over the years how running or walking shoulder-to-shoulder on one team can be such a vital tool for community integration, for welcoming people who might be isolated or worried – and also for building stronger communities. One of the themes of Refugee Week Ireland is ‘simple acts’ to show compassion and solidarity with refugees and our running/walking model is exactly that.
"Pre-Covid, we had an active group in Athlone who attended Athlone parkrun every Saturday and we are keen to get back in action in the coming months. Athlone is a wonderfully multicultural town and we look forward to welcoming lots of new faces as the group gets up and running," Ireland Lead, Ailís McSweeney, said.
Focusing on solidarity over charity, the Sanctuary Runners is a not-for-profit movement and was named the ‘best initiative to use sport to promote inclusion at the 2022 Irish Sports Industry Awards. It has also been celebrated at the United Nations for its unique model of doing things with rather than for people living in Direct Provision.
Sanctuary Runners is open to everyone in the community from all nationalities and abilities.
If you would like to join Athlone Sanctuary Runners please contact [email protected] or come along to Athlone parkrun on Saturday, July 1, and meet some of the team to find out more about how to get involved.
The group plans to walk and run locally at parkrun and local events.
