The Enniskillen 10K will make its return on Saturday, June 15 for the first time since 2019 following the global pandemic.

A number of runners and walkers have already pledged their intentions to run for charities including a group of friends who are running for Home-Start Lakeland.

The group of friends including Paul Caswell, Adam Cairns, Brian Wilson, Gary Armstrong, David Young, Andrew Edwards, Rodney Whyte, Brian Wallace and Kenny Dane will return to their hometown of Fermanagh, with most of the group based in Belfast, Dublin and around England, and are eager to take part in the 10K after missing out on the run in the last five years.

“We used to use the event as a time to come home, visit family and friends, do the 10K and fundraise for local charities.

"I guess we were disappointed when it didn’t return, initially, after Covid,” said Paul Caswell.

“The last event we did was in 2019, but we’re delighted to see Enniskillen Running Club bringing it back and a number of sponsors getting behind it.

"It gives us an opportunity to dust down the running gear and catch up in Enniskillen once again."

This year, their chosen charity is Home-Start Lakeland where volunteers help families in Fermanagh with young children deal with the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.

Issues faced by families include post-natal depression, poor mental health, disability, isolation, and low household income. Volunteers visit families in their own homes for 2-3 hours per week offering support, friendship and practical help.

This help, in turn, allows the parents to give their children a better start at home. The charity is delighted to have such a big fundraiser return and will also be in attendance at one of the water stops en route.

Four of the group recently met up to dust away some cobwebs in London at the Bushy Park Run as Paul Caswell, Adam Cairns (DNF), Brian Wilson, and David Young all took part.

The group of nine have also decided to compete with each other in an innovative challenge called the ‘pound for pound’ title with the concept based on the notion that lighter athletes have a major advantage over heavier athletes so for every half stone of extra weight carried each participant will receive a two-minute handicap, thus creating a more level playing field, after former international runner Adam claimed he could beat Mo Farah in a 'pound for pound' race because the former gold-medallist Olympian is half of his weight.

Paul is hoping that the 10K can continue annually after making its return this year: “It should build a bit of momentum once they get year one off the ground.

"I imagine it can only go from strength to strength because it is a brilliant run, a great event for Enniskillen, it brings people to the town, and back, like ourselves. I think it’s good all around for many reasons, for Enniskillen and Fermanagh.” 

To donate and read more about the group's fundraiser you can visit the link by clicking here.