Waterford City was awash with colour and community spirit on Sunday morning as thousands took part in the 2025 Solas Run and Walk for Life, raising vital funds for the Solas Cancer Support Centre.
Following Saturday’s well-supported Dungarvan event, the streets of Waterford turned into a sea of orange — and this year, a hint of blue — as runners and walkers completed the course, cheered on by friends, family, and volunteers. With more than 3,000 people taking part, the event once again proved to be one of the region’s biggest and most beloved fundraisers.
The first three men home receive their prizes.
“It’s just such a feel-good vibe,” said Gwen Daniels, General Manager at UPMC Whitfield Hospital, a long-standing supporter of the event. “When people start to cheer you over the line, the feeling is unbelievable. The stewards and volunteers do an incredible job keeping everyone going and keeping spirits high.”
Daniels also praised the event’s growing inclusivity, noting the addition of blue vests this year to represent the 27% of men who currently access services at the Solas Cancer Support Centre. “It’s wonderful to see the blue jerseys out there,” she said. “It’s a reminder that men need to participate not only in the event but in the support services available to them.”
John Keane and Gary Russell.
For Tracy McDaid, Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre, the day is both humbling and inspiring. “It is such a special day — the highlight of our year,” she said, beaming as she watched the crowds flow through the park. “The atmosphere, the stories, what it all means to people — it’s phenomenal.”
McDaid acknowledged the immense behind-the-scenes effort that makes the event possible each year. “When something looks easy, it’s because all the planning has gone on in the background. There are about 200 stewards and volunteers involved, and we were in the park from half six this morning making sure everything ran smoothly.”
She also highlighted the vital role the event plays in keeping Solas’s services free and accessible. “It costs €1.1 million to run the Solas Cancer Support Centre each year,” McDaid explained. “This event is our flagship fundraiser, and we hope to raise around €200,000. But beyond the fundraising, it’s about raising awareness — encouraging people to reach out and engage with the services we offer.”
Bernard, Anita, Kya and Zara-Lily.
This year’s blue T-shirts — making up 27% of participants’ tops — symbolised the Centre’s call for more men to access support. “Cancer diagnoses are 50-50 between men and women, but only 27% of our clients are men,” McDaid said. “In fact, this week last year, four of our new clients were men. This week, that number doubled to eight — a really encouraging sign.”
From the early morning volunteers to the cheering crowds, musicians, Gardaí, Civil Defence, and sponsors including UPMC Whitfield, EirGen, and the many local supporters, the sense of community pride was palpable.
As the final walkers crossed the finish line, attention was already turning to next year. “We’ll start planning next week for 2026,” McDaid laughed. “Days like today remind us why we do what we do — it’s about hope, connection, and community.”
And with that, the message from Waterford was clear: Bring on the Solas Run and Walk for Life 2026.
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