Cork man to run half marathon in memory of his father 

A Cork man is taking on a half marathon in memory of his father who died from brain cancer just six months after suffering a seizure.

Darragh O’Sullivan, aged 31, from Blackrock in Cork, moved to London in September 2022. 

He will be taking part in the Robin Hood half marathon in Nottingham on September 27, in support of vital research at the brain tumour research centre of excellence at the University of Nottingham.

Darragh’s father Kieran O’Sullivan was 58 years of age when he died from glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable type of brain tumour in March 2021, and just six months after his diagnosis. Kieran was diagnosed in August 2020 after suddenly becoming unwell and suffering a seizure while on holiday in Waterford with his wife Margaret.

Determination to take on challange

Darragh outlined his determination for taking on the half marathon and running in memory of his father. 

“He passed away during the Covid-19 lockdown, which made everything harder because we didn’t really get the chance to celebrate his life properly with extended family and friends. 

"That’s a big part of why I wanted to do this challenge. Running in dad’s memory feels like a way of honouring him and celebrating his life in a way that we couldn’t at the time. Whenever I run, I always feel like he’s beside me.

“My dad wasn’t a big runner, but loved sport and played football and rugby. He also coached GAA and hurling for the local team in Blackrock.”

Darragh is taking on the Robin Hood half marathon to help support research into a cure and improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma.

At the brain tumour research centre of excellence at the University of Nottingham, scientists are using artificial intelligence, advanced brain imaging and genomic techniques to better understand why glioblastoma tumours return and also to accelerate the development of improved treatments.

Darragh added: “Brain tumours are still one of the least understood and least funded forms of cancer and that has to change.”

To support Darragh’s Robin Hood Half Marathon fundraiser visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/darragh-osullivan-2.