Do you accept the challenge?

“We want to get 10 participants from each business, community, street, school or sports club in Cork and beyond.”

Those were the words of Graham Clifford, Founder of the Sanctuary Runners, as the running group launched its 10 for 10 challenge.

The challenge is all about solidarity, friendship and respect with all in the community including, and especially, asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants.

It comes 5 years after the Sanctuary Runners participated in its first Cork City Marathon and the group is back again with a plan to build the biggest team in the organisation’s history.

You can run, jog or walk the 10km and all participants will cross the finish line on Patrick Street on 4 June.

Graham said: “It will be an amazing event and allow people the powerful opportunity to show solidarity with people living in Direct Provision as well as Ukrainian people who have arrived in Ireland since the outbreak of war there.”

All Sanctuary Runners will be given one of the organisation's iconic blue Sanctuary Runner tops or singlets ahead of the event on 4 June.

“Perhaps you can encourage colleagues, friends, fellow students or relations to take part. The people of Cork have always embraced the Sanctuary Runners and we know they will step up to the start line with us again. We run as one and we feel initiatives such as ours are needed now more than ever,” he added.

Sanctuary Runners also hope to attract people to run the full or half marathon with them.

And one of the pacers in this year’s half marathon will be Adabblah Noel Selorm, a former refugee and proud Sanctuary Runner. The Sanctuary Runners’ logo will also be emblazoned on the pacer’s running top in this year’s Cork City Marathon.

To enter the Cork City Marathon as a Sanctuary Runner go to Corkcitymarathon.ie.

See sanctuaryrunners.ie/10-for-10 for more.