Andy O’Sullivan continues to stage races despite battling illness

Prolific race organiser Andy O’Sullivan MBE is continuing to stage races in the north west despite battling serious illness, and hopes that local runners will support him during the Ian Terry 5k on Tuesday 9 July.

Andy, 66, of Whitworth, has organised over 670 races for numerous charitable causes since 1983, but is taking somewhat of a backseat due to poor health.

The Andems Runner has previously fought bladder cancer, having been diagnosed in 2015.

However, after recurrent pain since finishing his last round of treatment in January 2019, Andy has undergone several and is awaiting results of a biopsy of his bladder and prostate.

Andy said: “I am asking all long-time friends to support the 5K. I am able to be there, although the team will have to run the show.

“I am hoping to be back in action soon, and I am ever grateful to Rochdale Online for all the work they do in publicising Andems events and funds raised.”

The Ian Terry 5k - entry form at the bottom of this article - takes place at Cowm Reservoir in memory of PC Ian Terry, a Greater Manchester Police firearms officer, who died following a training exercise in June 2008.

He served as a response officer in Rochdale for five years from 1997 before his move to the firearms unit.

Proceeds from the race will be split between Care of Police Survivors and Commonwealth silver medallist, Mollie Campbell, also of Whitworth, who receives little funding to pursue her sport.

She is currently in Latvia, competing in the Eurobasket tournament for Great Britain.

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Andy’s long-running career started in July 1982 when, along with 2,000 others, Andy completed the ‘Rochdale Observer 7 Fun Run,’ raising £500 for Rochdale Disabled Scouts.

On Sunday 1 September 1983, after discussions with others, Andy then staged a six-mile run from the Rifleman Pub on Cronkeyshaw Road.

The race took the runners over Lobden and through Whitworth, then through Shawclough to finish outside the now-defunct Cronkeyshaw Primary School. 177 runners finished and £366.00 was raised for ‘A hospice for Rochdale appeal.’

Charities that have benefitted from Andy’s races vary from Springhill Hospice and the Christie, to sending families with a serious disabled child on holiday to other local appeals.

In 1991, Andy received the BEM for services to the police and charities, which was followed with an MBE for services to Athletics and Charities 13 years later in 2004.  He even carried the Olympic torch in London that year, together with the most famous people in the UK.

These days, Andy is best known as ‘The Voice of Manchester Races,’ commentating on races like the Great Manchester Run.

Diane Modahl, the 1990 Commonwealth 800m champion, told Athletics Weekly that Andy 'is a bundle of inspiration and energy' as well as 'an active and generous supporter' of both her and her charity, the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation.

John Schofield, from UK Results, added: “Andy's fortitude and persistence in ploughing on is a lesson to us all. Never give in, but do make sure that you look after yourself first and foremost.”

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