Sanctuary Runners Ireland

Sport can break down barriers —and we’re proving it works! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️
We call on national sports bodies to make inclusion real.

#SanctuaryRunners #WeRunAsOne #InclusionThroughSport

🔵 Our Making Strides for Solidarity plan launches now!
It’s five years of action, not words, for inclusion, friendship, and community.

#SanctuaryRunners #MakingStridesForSolidarity

By spending time together, Irish locals and people from asylum, refugee, and migrant backgrounds build connection, wellbeing, and belonging. 💙

#SanctuaryRunners #WeRunAsOne

👀 It’s not just us saying it… research says it too!
Sanctuary Runners’ “We run as one” model is transforming communities across Ireland.

#SanctuaryRunners #WeRunAsOne #InclusionThroughSport

Cover photo of our strategic plan 2026-30, with people running together and the title 'Making Strides for Solidarity'

👕 Today, we launch 'Making Strides for Solidarity - our new 5-year Strategic Plan. Planning for growth and greater impact across Ireland and internationally. Community Integration is vital for everyone in our societies but it needs planning, focus and vision. That's where we come in💙

💙📣 Didn’t get a place in Cork this year?

Why not run with purpose? 👟

We have exclusive charity fundraising spots for the sold-out Cork 2026 Half & Full Marathon – join Team Sanctuary Runners!

Join us on race day!

#SanctuaryRunners #RunAsOne #CorkCityMarathon #SpeirGorm

📣🔵 Cork City Marathon is SOLD OUT — but we’ve got limited charity places (Half & Full)!

💙 Join Team Sanctuary Runners!!!

🔗 Details on our website: sanctuaryrunners.ie/2026/02/23/c...

💙 🌙 From all of us at Sanctuary Runners, we wish everyone observing Ramadan a month full of community, connection, and togetherness!

#SanctuaryRunners #RunAsOne #RamadanKareem

💙 Saturday was all about love across our community. Tralee wore red, Corkagh Park had some birthday cake, Moate climbed Rosemount Hill, Limerick braved the ice to welcome Nana King, Fairview jumped with visiting friends, TVP parkrun was packed, and Cobh gathered by the sea. #SpeirGorm #RunAsOne

Pat shows Noel a calendar put together for him, with pictures of his family.

When Edel brought Noel to Kilkenny to meet her dad Pat, he was welcomed like family.

Pat handed him a hurl, showed him his home, and gave him a Kilkenny jersey – “You’re my son.”

Last weekend, Noel returned with West African gifts in thanks 💙 #Respect #Friendship

Noel and Pat, Edel's dad, pose together in Pat's kitchen, wearing west African shirts

Edel first met Noel in Fairview Park when he handed her a blue Sanctuary Runners t-shirt and said, “You’re one of us now. You’re in.”

That simple moment sparked a friendship – and a connection that would travel far beyond the park. #Solidarity #Friendship

🔵 DELIGHTED to partner with Cork City Marathon for the new ‘NextGen Solidarity 10k’ on May 31! Students across Cork will run in solidarity with all in their community 🌍💙 First run launched with @cercork.bsky.social & their mascot 🐓 – stay tuned for updates!

🔵 Saturday smiles from Sanctuary Runners nationwide! Fairview celebrated Maria’s 50th parkrun & Ruth’s birthday! 💛 Corkagh braved grey skies, Poppintree & Tallaght enjoyed dry runs, Poolbeg was muddy, Lawytown sunny, and Cobh & Tralee ran together, another week, in solidarity. #RunAsOne

And the feeling when you realise love is what it's all about #SpeirGorm #SpeirGhorm

And the feeling when you WEAR your first blue T-shirt 👕 #RunAsOne

That feeling when you're handed your first blue T-shirt 😏! #BadBunny #SanctuaryRunners

Big news! 🏃‍♂️💙 Sanctuary Runners has received generous funding from the PTSB Community Fund 2025 to support our work bringing communities together through running, jogging, and walking! #SanctuaryRunners #RunAsOne #RunInSolidarity

Saturday smiles from Sanctuary Runners nationwide! 💙
Some parkruns were cancelled, but we still showed up. Buncrana brought the vibes with African music at the finish, Cork’s gang keeps growing, and Limerick & Cobh ran on despite the rain. Even a bit of parkrun tourism to Poppintree 😅
#RunAsOne

🔵 Saturday smiles nationwide!

Mairead from Limerick celebrated her 70th as the local Parkrun marked 10 years, Cristina from Tralee hit her 200th parkrun, Amina’s Ardee group keeps growing, Dublin Fairview nailed the jump, Cobh & Cork stayed true to form (very wet!)

#RunAsOne #RunInSolidarity

Lots of smiles at the Raheny 5 Mile yesterday 🏃‍♀️😊
Miles were run, friendships strengthened — and yes, there was pizza 🍕 thank you @axaraheny5.bsky.social for another year of this!

⚠️ Social cohesion is threatened by ignorance and misconceptions.
Allowing this to continue fuels division.

💙 We must do better — together.

#CommunityIntegration #SocialCohesion #RunTogether #Inclusion #Belonging #Ireland

It’s been over five years since Ireland has had an effective community integration strategy.

If government won’t listen to communities, it should listen to research.

This is why we believe in connection.
Integration isn’t just about policies on paper — it’s about friendship, respect, and shared experiences.

Professor Pete Lunn of the ESRI highlights a simple truth:
the more time people spend getting to know people from different backgrounds, the more positive their views become.

The research shows many people in Ireland overestimate immigration and misunderstand why people move here.

Misconceptions matter — they shape attitudes and public debate.

📊 A recent ESRI survey confirms what we see every day.
When people meet, move together, and build relationships, understanding grows. #SocialCohesion

📣 Huge thanks to Raheny Shamrock AC for their ongoing support, including a recent donation of running shoes 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Support like this reflects the generosity of running clubs across Ireland who help make running welcoming and accessible to all.

#SanctuaryRunners #RunningCommunity #InclusionThroughSport

❄️ Cold Sunday morning? Perfect for 10K in blue! 💙 Our Limerick & Clare groups ran the Tom Walsh 10K, spreading friendship, solidarity & smiles across the streets. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

#SanctuaryRunners #RunAsOne

Are you in Cobh tomorrow? Join us for a relaxed Community Run with @SanctuaryRunners and Great Island Athletics.

Walk, jog or run — building community and connection.

📍 Cobh Heritage Centre
🗓 Sat 10 Jan
⏰ 11am

Everyone belongs. Everyone is welcome.

#CommunityRun #SanctuaryRunners #Cobh

📣 Looking to move more and meet some amazing people?

Our CEO Anna recently spoke with Aine Kerr on RTE Radio about the power of community, and how anyone can get involved with Sanctuary Runners.

Join one of our groups and make 2026 your year to connect and thrive 🌎 #SanctuaryRunners #Community