Athletics Ireland is encouraging people living across Ireland to consider becoming an organiser of a fun and simple event that can take place any time in December – the GOAL Mile, for their family, friends, and local community, in support of GOAL, the global humanitarian aid agency.

The first GOAL Mile took place in 1982 when the late Noel Carroll and former international athlete asked local people and their families to run a mile at the Phoenix Park in Dublin on Christmas morning for GOAL. Today, there are 160+ GOAL Mile locations across the island of Ireland and since that first GOAL Mile 42 years ago, the much-treasured Mile has seen tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile in villages, towns, and cities. The funds raised from the GOAL Mile in 2023 went directly to support GOAL’s work in some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, including in Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine and Haiti.

Middle Distance Champion and GOAL Mile Ambassador Ciara Mageean organises a GOAL Mile every year and reflecting on her commitment to the Mile, she said.

“The GOAL Mile is a brilliant community event that raises funds for a fantastic cause. I’ve been organising the GOAL Mile in Portaferry for five years and I would encourage anyone to give it a go. The organiser can host it on any day that works for them over the Christmas period, and you get loads of support and materials from the GOAL Mile team. It’s great fun and people are always coming up and telling me how much they enjoy getting active over Christmas by taking part in the GOAL Mile.”

The GOAL Mile is very straightforward to organise with GOAL providing all materials, insurance, fundraising page and social media kit. All you need to do is set a date, time, and location for your GOAL Mile event, use your club’s communication channels to spread the word and GOAL will do the rest!

If you would like to find out more about the GOAL Mile head to www.goalmile.org or for more information about organising a GOAL Mile, please contact Lucy Wallace on lwallace@goal.ie.