Local charity race organiser honoured with own 5k race

Photo: Steve Bateson Photography

Andy O'Sullivan (fourth from left) 5k at Cowm Reservoir

Local charity race organiser Andy O’Sullivan, MBE was honoured with his own 5K Cowm Reservoir race on Sunday (19 August).

160 competitors braved the rain to raise funds for three local causes, with Commonwealth Basketball silver medallist, Mollie Campbell starting the race and presenting the prizes.

Rochdale Harrier, Chris Merchant won the race in 16.53; first lady was Dawn Tibbs from the Trawden club with 23.03

After the race, competitors and marshals enjoyed burger and chips at the Cock & Magpie.

Andy, a retired Rochdale policeman, has staged 660 charity races since September 1983, so his wife Emily thought it was only fitting for a race to be dedicated to him.

Andy’s legacy began in July 1982 when, along with 2,000 others, Andy completed the ‘Rochdale Observer Fun Run,’ raising £500 for Rochdale Disabled Scouts.

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

Since those days, Andy has continued organising charity races, many named after people who contributed enormously to the sport. Famous names that have been to and competed in include Olympic Silver medallists Shirley Strong, Wendy Sly, Dorothy Hyman and Dorothy Shirley. World mile record holders, Dr Ron Hill and Derek Ibbotson were also familiar faces at these races.

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.