Fearless, determined, and fuelled by something far deeper than miles on a map, the Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award honours individuals who push beyond personal limits and turn challenge into impact. These are the people who remind us that adventure isn’t reserved for the fastest, the fittest, or the fearless; it belongs to anyone brave enough to begin.

This year’s nominees prove that the outdoors can be a lifeline, a second chance, and a rallying cry. From conquering mountains after illness or injury to raising funds for critical causes, leading others up trails, or transforming adversity into opportunity, their stories reflect grit, resilience, and a wholehearted belief in the power of community.

Whether they run, hike, climb, or crawl their way toward a finish line, one thing unites them: adventure, at its best, lifts others as it lifts ourselves.

These are the adventurers who inspire Ireland to dream bigger, show up stronger, and take that first step, no matter the obstacles in the way.

The Outsider Awards take place on 11 February 2026 at The Helix, Dublin, proudly supported by Sport Ireland, Craghoppers, Outwest Clothing, Mountaineering Ireland, and NowCoco Drinks.

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You can vote for your favourite Inspiring Nominee in the Audience Choice Award

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Kieva Tracey

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If grit had a face, it would look a lot like Kieva Tracey. When she crossed the finish line at Westport’s legendary Sea2Summit as first lady in the Spirit category, she didn’t just beat the mountain, the course or the clock; she beat the odds stacked against her body. And she did it on the slopes of Croagh Patrick, a mountain she loves so deeply it feels like home.

Only a year earlier, taking part seemed impossible. Kieva Tracey was navigating life with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a debilitating condition that can strip a person of mobility, speech and even the ability to write or walk. Her diagnosis followed years of frightening flares, hospital visits, and the terrifying unknown. But instead of retreating, she rebuilt, slowly, bravely and with humour as her armour.

Supported by her local Burrishoole GAA club, her family and the indomitable women of Team West, she trained her way back from barely being able to walk to racing her way up a holy mountain, and winning! Along the way, she raised funds, awareness and hope for others with invisible illnesses, connecting strangers online and championing FND Ireland.

Her message to anyone struggling? Use the good days. Rest on the bad. And dream big anyway.

Ronan Sharkey

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Ronan Sharkey has spent the year showing what it truly means to persevere. Born with cerebral palsy and given just 24 hours to live, Ronan’s early life was stacked against him. Growing up, he faced judgment and exclusion, but he turned those challenges into a rock-solid mindset: life is about thriving, not just surviving.

Running became his path to reclaim control, first on the roads and later in the mountains. From grueling 10Ks to the punishing trails of the Seven Sisters Skyline and epic backyard ultras like the BMF, Ronan has constantly tested his limits. Setbacks, including tough DNFs, didn’t stop him; they fueled him, teaching resilience, grit, and the value of showing up.

Central to his journey is community. Friends, fellow runners, and mentors have pushed him, supported him, and inspired him to pay it forward, founding Louth Trail Runners to help others discover their own strength.

Ronan’s message is simple: anyone can do it. No matter the odds, persistence, self-belief, and a supportive community can turn challenges into triumphs and inspire everyone along the way.

Malachy Doyle

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Malachy Doyle, 71, from Antrim, is proof that adventure has no age limit, and that community, courage and cause can carry a person further than they ever imagined.

Originally from County Antrim, Malachy didn’t lace up for running until the age of 58, determined to stay active, strong and healthy for as long as possible. What started with road running and Parkruns soon evolved into something much bigger when he discovered trail running through Adventure Running Donegal (ARD). Since then, Malachy has spent the past decade redefining what’s possible in your 60s and 70s. He has trekked to Everest Base Camp, climbed Kilimanjaro, summited Mera Peak, completed Donegal’s legendary Seven Sisters 55km, raced the Bluestack Ultra, and proudly represented Ireland on the world stage at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Spain and Italy.

But his most inspiring journey has been deeply personal. When his daughter Naomi was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, Malachy set himself a mission: raise funds for research by climbing Errigal 12 times in 24 hours, the equivalent of climbing higher than Everest, at the age of 71.

On the hottest day of the year, and powered by grit, determination and the support of ARD members, friends, family and strangers, Malachy hit his goal with 10 minutes to spare. More than 100 people joined him on the mountain, 400+ summits were logged across the community, seven runners completed all 12, and over €12,000 was raised.

His message is simple and powerful: Find your cause, gather your people, and believe in yourself.

Ger Copeland

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Ger Copeland is no ordinary runner. With over 300 marathons to his name, the Howth-based athlete has spent decades testing the limits of endurance, but 2024 and 2025 have proven to be his most remarkable years yet. At 46, Ger overcame three brain haemorrhages and a stroke following a skiing accident earlier in the year. Just months after leaving the hospital, he completed the Dublin Marathon with the support of a guide runner. A year later, he returned to the same course and ran a stunning sub-three-hour marathon, proving that disability wasn’t a finish line, but the beginning of a new chapter.

This winter, Ger carried that belief to the edge of the earth, running back-to-back marathons in Cape Town and Antarctica within 15 hours, becoming one of only a handful of people ever to claim victory on polar ice.

For Ger, racing is no longer only about time. He has become a powerful voice for stroke survivors and young people living with traumatic brain injuries, sharing a vital message: recovery isn’t linear, progress isn’t guaranteed, and nothing should be taken for granted. Beyond his own races, he has devoted himself to coaching and mentoring runners of all ages at the Dublin Bay Running Club, which he founded.

Ger’s courage, commitment, and determination have not gone unnoticed. He received the Lord Mayor’s Medal at the Dublin Marathon, an acknowledgement of both his extraordinary resilience and the positive impact he has had on the running community. On the start line, on the road, and in front of those who look to him for hope, Ger Copeland shows that inspiration isn’t a label, it’s a responsibility.

John Murphy

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In 2025, John Murphy took on one of the world’s toughest endurance races, the Marathon des Sables in Morocco, and emerged not just with a sense of personal triumph but with a tangible impact on his local community in Portmagee, Co. Kerry. Running 250 km across unforgiving sand dunes, searing sun, and sleep-deprived nights, John demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination, and the ability to thrive under extreme conditions. For John, the finish line was about more than completing the race. It was the culmination of months of training alongside a group of sixteen fellow Irish athletes, each preparing with Damian Brown and the Ironmind Institute. Watching teammates conquer their first ultra-endurance challenge was as rewarding as crossing the sand dunes themselves, highlighting John’s focus on camaraderie and collective achievement.

Beyond personal success, John leveraged the race to support the local Cnuicín Seine Boat Club, raising crucial funds for the boat shed and the future of traditional rowing in the community. Even after the MDS, John pushed himself further by completing the Kerry Way Ultra, a 190+ km single-stage endurance event, combining personal ambition with continued fundraising for the club.

His advice to aspiring adventurers is simple: start small, focus on consistent progress, and let the journey unfold, a philosophy he lives by in every race and in every community effort.

Cait O’Meara

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Cait O’Meara’s relationship with the outdoors began early, growing up hiking and climbing in the Wicklow Mountains with her family, turning weekends, holidays and even St Stephen’s Day into time spent on the hills. Those early experiences planted a deep connection to the mountains, one that would later become both a source of strength and healing.

In recent years, climbing has played an even more powerful role in Cait’s life. Moving through personal grief, she continued to seek out mountains across Ireland, using the outdoors as a place to process, to focus, and to keep moving forward. What began as familiarity became purpose.

Being deaf has never been a limitation in Cait’s eyes; instead, it is simply part of who she is. On the mountains, she sees her deafness not as a barrier, but as something that does not define or restrict her achievements. Her approach is simple and powerful: deaf people can do anything.

In 2025, Cait marked two major milestones. She completed an Everest Base Camp expedition, standing in one of the world’s most iconic mountain environments, and crossed the finish line of the Dublin City Marathon, achievements that speak to both physical endurance and mental resilience.

Through her journeys, Cait hopes to inspire others, particularly those who are deaf or hard of hearing, to follow in her footsteps, whether that’s to Everest Base Camp or to a local mountain at home. She openly offers guidance and support to anyone considering similar challenges, breaking down barriers through visibility, encouragement, and lived experience.

Cait’s story is a reminder that the outdoors belongs to everyone, and that mountains are not about what you lack, but about what you choose to believe is possible.

Ken (Coach Ken)

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For Ken, 51, from Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, running and the outdoors have never been about performance or competition. They have been a source of calm, resilience, and healing. During difficult periods in his life, time spent in nature became a form of therapy, a place where movement, fresh air, and quiet helped steady his nervous system and bring clarity to his mind. Each run outdoors left him feeling stronger, calmer, and better equipped to face whatever came next.

It was this personal experience that inspired Ken to start Cherry Orchard Running Club. His motivation was simple but powerful: to show people in his own community the positive impact that running and spending time outdoors can have on both mental and physical well-being. By creating a welcoming, local running group, Ken opened the door for others to experience the same sense of relief, connection, and confidence that nature had given him.

Cherry Orchard Running Club has become more than a place to exercise. It’s a supportive community that encourages people to get outside regularly, move their bodies, and discover how accessible and transformative outdoor activity can be, regardless of background or experience. Ken’s message is rooted in empathy and lived experience: if you’re going through a rough time, you don’t have to face it alone.

Through his work, Ken continues to encourage people to reach out, connect with the outdoor community, and use movement and nature as tools to calm the mind, restore balance, and build strength, one step, one run, and one shared experience at a time.