Nigel and Sharon McGrath pose just before the race gets underway.
SOME 1,187 runners and walkers – mostly runners, and mostly young people – turned out for Sunday’s 10k and 5k around Enniskillen, all inspired by the late Oisin McGrath who in life and in death left a lasting legacy.
The event was organised by Oisin’s family, his parents, Nigel and Sharon and their other children, Ciana (12) and Cairenn (7).
The proceeds of the two runs/walks won’t be known for a few more weeks, but they will be split into the three outlets which the McGrath family identified closely with following their son’s death.
They are – brain injury awareness and research, organ donation awareness, and youth sports development.
With the runs/walks scheduled with a 1 o’clock start, the McGrath family left their Belcoo home at the crack of dawn for Enniskillen – Nigel and Sharon looking after the registration and tying up loose ends, leaving Ciana and Cairenn free to run the 5k for their big brother.
“We were overwhelmed, to be honest”, Nigel said about the turn-out. “And, everything went amazingly well with all the organising that went into it. It turned out better than expected and I’d have to say the turn-out was absolutely huge.”.
To date, the McGraths have run two events on the youth sports development side, and they have spoken on numerous occasions on the need for organ donation.
Is their message getting through?
“Absolutely. We haven’t got figures, but we know definitely people have signed up to organ donation on the back of our campaign and others’ campaigns.”
As to the overall impact of what was a successful and happier day for the family, Nigel said he and his wife and the children had found it ‘very positive’.
“Apart from that, it helps people to get up and get out and enjoy our wonderful countryside and enjoying life. I would reckon half the people there yesterday must have been under 18, and it’s the sort of thing we want to keep alive.”
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