After the loss of her husband last year, Sharon Keogh of Balgriffin, is finding her spark again while training for the Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon on May 3.
Keogh (pictured above) was selected for the race’s newest community initiative, the Thrive Squad – a group of ten everyday runners sharing their real journeys to race day and encouraging others to get involved in running.
This year’s race carries the message – “Run Together, Thrive Together,” highlighting the power of community, connection and shared experience over individual performance.
Keogh is representing the “normal Mam, juggling kids, jobs, and throwing in a bit of training at the same time.”
Sharing the struggles of losing her husband, and specifically how running and a strong community has helped rediscover her spark, her message is empowering.
“I hope to be the relatable person showing you don’t have to be perfect or an athlete.
You just have to start somewhere and put one foot in front of the other,” she said.
Supported by her family, her close circle of fellow runners, and her GAA club, Keogh’s journey reinforces the importance of community support in the build-up to race day.
“You need community in life, you need people around you.
“I don’t think I would have done something like this on my own, and don’t think I’d be motivated enough without some people having my back,” she added.
While acknowledging how tough her husband’s passing has been, Sharon’s outlook is positive and inspiring, using this as emotional fuel behind her return to the start line.
“I’m doing it for him, and I know one thing he would have said is to not give up running.
“I could be sitting at home upset or dealing with a lot of things differently, so I think it’s important to have that thing to focus on, but that’s also benefitting me mentally and physically.”
As the Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon places the Thrive Squad in the spotlight, the race continues to redefine what being a winner means by elevating real runners with real journeys. Sharon’s humility and outlook on achievement truly represents this message.
“Every time I would come home with a medal, my youngest son would say, did you win?
“I probably had finished 10th last, but I came home and he saw me as a winner. So, once I get that medal, I’ve won.”
The 2026 Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon has also introduced a ballot entry system for the first time, reflecting growing demand and continued efforts by Dublin Marathon Group to make the event more accessible and inclusive.
The Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, May 3.
Alongside Keogh, the Thrive Squad features runners from across Ireland, each sharing their own journey to race day, including:
- Conor Sweeney (Louth) – run club founder building communities on the way to the start line
- Ross Waters (Kildare) – embracing a stripped-back, enjoyment-first approach to running that prioritises shared experience over tracking kilometres
- Lauren Cashell (Dublin) – sharing her journey from asthma to half marathon to champion new runners
- Cormac O’Neill (Dublin) – highlighting consistency and mental resilience on the path to race day
- Jordan Prescott (Dublin, new to Ireland) – new to Ireland and leaning into running to find her new community
- Kloe Storey (Derry) – Derry native challenging perceptions of what a runner looks like
- Georgia Keys (Donegal) – Donegal runner promoting mindful movement, connection and the shared experience as she prepares for race day
- Molly Maher (Wexford) – Wexford based social-first runner taking on her first half marathon
- Aoife Borromeo (Dublin) – Leaving Cert student sharing the realities of balancing studies with half marathon preparation