Press Release
December 17, 2025 • 1 min read
GOAL was delighted to team up with Olympic silver medallist and one of Ireland’s greatest sporting icons, Sonia O’Sullivan, alongside a statue built in her honour in her native Cobh, to encourage people across the country to put on their running gear and find their local GOAL Mile this Christmas season.
Over the past four decades, the GOAL Mile, proudly supported by AIB, has grown to become one of Ireland’s most cherished fundraisers and is now a highlight of the festive season for thousands of people around the country. Last Christmas, more than 40,000 people took part in the GOAL Mile at over 200 locations across Ireland. This year, with the help of the generous Irish public, GOAL aims to make it even bigger!
Sonia, a 5,000m silver medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, lined up next to her statue, where she was joined by GOAL Mile organisers and athletics club members from across Cork, for a very special GOAL Mile, backed by the chilly December wind on Ireland’s south coast.
A proud GOAL supporter and GOAL Mile participant for many years, Sonia said:
“It is a privilege to be able to join in with GOAL Mile enthusiasts young and old and it is particularly special to do so in my hometown of Cobh, next to the statue that bears my name. I encourage everyone across the country to do something special this Christmas and lace up for your local GOAL Mile in support of GOAL’s life-saving work around the world.”
Nafisa Brennan, Senior Fundraising Manager with GOAL added:
“As an organisation that is steeped in the Irish sports world, we are always so grateful to sports ambassadors and supporters for helping us spread the word of our many fundraising activities. In that spirit, we are very thankful to Sonia O’Sullivan coming out in her hometown and encouraging people across Ireland to join the thousands lacing up for GOAL Mile this year. With over 200 locations to choose from, everyone has a local GOAL Mile and you can find yours at GOALMile.org.”
