Club News Brief
Top Athletes To Run Everton 10K In Memory Of Lifelong Blue
2026-09-30
A host of professional athletes and Olympians are putting football rivalries to aside to run the Everton 10k in memory of their friend and colleague who was tragically killed last year. Triathlon coach Sam O'Shea, 27, was a lifelong fan of the Toffees alongside dad Paul, from Kirkby. Sam died after being struck by a motorbike while cycling in France in September 2025. A foundation has been since set up in Sam’s name, raising almost £40,000 to date. And while the family are still waiting for justice as French authorities continue their investigations into the incident, Sam's family and friends have come together for a fitting tribute at Hill Dickinson Stadium this Sunday 4 October. Angela, who describes Sam as a “dream son”, said: “Sam was born a Blue and absolutely loved Everton" “When the stadium was first built, we bought Sam and Holly an engraved stone on Everton Way. “It just seems perfect to do the Everton 10k with all of his friends in blue t-shirts and go and see the stone at the end of it.” Paul initially saw an advert for the 10k and suggested his wife Angela should do it. However, Sam's family and friends were all keen to join in, with between 40 and 50 people set to run in his memory. This includes Sam's girlfriend Lucy Byram, one of his best friends James Scott-Farrington, and Jack Willis and Jess Fulliger, who are all professional triathletes. Olympian Gordon Benson, who represented Team GB in the 2016 games in Rio supporting the Brownlee brothers, will also take part. It comes after Sam's friends put aside football rivalries for his funeral last year, with Liverpool fans and good friend Olympian Alex Yee – a Crystal Palace fan – wearing Everton shirts in his memory. Two of his athlete friends also ran the Manchester Marathon earlier this year in full Everton kits with O'Shea on the back. Angela said: “It's mind-blowing what people have done for Sam... the blue and red rivalry is there, but it's so special what people have done for him. “And while there are lots of athletes running for Sam on Sunday we really appreciate our amazing friends and family members who have stepped out of their comfort zone to do their first-ever 10k.” Sam was born in Gibraltar, where his parents, who are in the military, and sister Holly lived at the time. He went on to represent the country as a triathlete and cyclist at the Island Games and cycling at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. His family have also set up The Sam O'Shea Foundation in Sam's memory. Paul said: “What we want to try to do is help people who are less fortunate than Sam, whether that's financially or with material things like cycling helmet, cycling shoes, swimming goggles etc. A lot of people can't afford these things because it's an expensive sport.” Paul also said the charity may also be able to provide coaching opportunities to help people progress their careers. More details about the Sam O'Shea Foundation can be found here samosheafoundation.org/
A host of professional athletes and Olympians are putting football rivalries to aside to run the Everton 10k in memory of their friend and colleague who was tragically killed last year. Triathlon coach Sam O'Shea, 27, was a lifelong fan of the Toffees alongside dad Paul, from Kirkby. Sam died after being struck by a motorbike while cycling in France in September 2025. A foundation has been since set up in Sam’s name, raising almost £40,000 to date. And while the family are still waiting for justice as French authorities continue their investigations into the incident, Sam's family and friends have come together for a fitting tribute at Hill Dickinson Stadium this Sunday 4 October. Angela, who describes Sam as a “dream son”, said: “Sam was born a Blue and absolutely loved Everton" “When the stadium was first built, we bought Sam and Holly an engraved stone on Everton Way. “It just seems perfect to do the Everton 10k with all of his friends in blue t-shirts and go and see the stone at the end of it.” Paul initially saw an advert for the 10k and suggested his wife Angela should do it. However, Sam's family and friends were all keen to join in, with between 40 and 50 people set to run in his memory. This includes Sam's girlfriend Lucy Byram, one of his best friends James Scott-Farrington, and Jack Willis and Jess Fulliger, who are all professional triathletes. Olympian Gordon Benson, who represented Team GB in the 2016 games in Rio supporting the Brownlee brothers, will also take part. It comes after Sam's friends put aside football rivalries for his funeral last year, with Liverpool fans and good friend Olympian Alex Yee – a Crystal Palace fan – wearing Everton shirts in his memory. Two of his athlete friends also ran the Manchester Marathon earlier this year in full Everton kits with O'Shea on the back. Angela said: “It's mind-blowing what people have done for Sam... the blue and red rivalry is there, but it's so special what people have done for him. “And while there are lots of athletes running for Sam on Sunday we really appreciate our amazing friends and family members who have stepped out of their comfort zone to do their first-ever 10k.” Sam was born in Gibraltar, where his parents, who are in the military, and sister Holly lived at the time. He went on to represent the country as a triathlete and cyclist at the Island Games and cycling at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. His family have also set up The Sam O'Shea Foundation in Sam's memory. Paul said: “What we want to try to do is help people who are less fortunate than Sam, whether that's financially or with material things like cycling helmet, cycling shoes, swimming goggles etc. A lot of people can't afford these things because it's an expensive sport.” Paul also said the charity may also be able to provide coaching opportunities to help people progress their careers. More details about the Sam O'Shea Foundation can be found here samosheafoundation.org/
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