Sanctuary Runners was established in Cork in 2018 by former feature writer and broadcaster Graham Clifford with the goal of building Solidarity, Friendship and Respect with everyone in the community including refugees and people seeking international protection in Ireland. Acting as a bridge in the community the organisation has now grown to 40 groups across Ireland – from Dublin to Letterkenny, Monaghan to Mallow.

Since Sanctuary Runners first started in 2018 some 15,000 people across Ireland have taken part in a Sanctuary Runners’ activity including Olympians such as Olive Loughnane, Rob and Marian Heffernan and Clare Lambe – and stars of the track such as Sonia O’Sullivan, Lizzie Lee, Nadia Power, Gillian O’Sullivan and GAA legends Tomas O’Sé, Alan Kerins and Michael Daragh MacAuley.

Some people take part in a weekly 5km walk with their local Sanctuary Runner groups and some run-in marathons in Ireland and internationally. Sanctuary Runners welcomes all abilities!

As well as walking, jogging and running, Sanctuary Runners, a registered charity, has also partnered with Swim Ireland on its Sanctuary Swimmers programme with groups in Waterford, Cork, Dublin, Galway and Bray.

Sanctuary Runners and the Irish Refugee Council have worked closely since the former was established. And now the organisation is planning to develop more groups in Ireland and internationally.

At all times promoting positivity and decency to all in society – wearing our blue tops and enabling and enhancing community integration one step at a time.