Griggs states that his running injury swiftly escalated into a severe medical condition
Young Runner Nick Griggs Overcomes Osteomyelitis to Shine on the Track
Nick Griggs, a promising young runner from Northern Ireland, has had an extraordinary journey in the world of athletics. His story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep love for the sport that nearly took him down but ultimately brought him back stronger.
Griggs, a super-fit runner, suffered a serious setback when he contracted osteomyelitis, a bone infection, during a fall at the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya, Turkey, in December 2024. The infection appeared to have originated from a wound caused by the fall at the event. After persistent symptoms and three scans in January, he was diagnosed with osteomyelitis.
The infection, a bacterial or fungal infection of the bone marrow, threatened permanent bone or joint damage if left untreated. Griggs underwent medical treatment and spent two weeks in Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast. Fortunately, the infection did not spread beyond his kneecap, sparing him from potential amputation.
The road to recovery was long, with Griggs missing three full months of running. It took him almost seven months to get back racing after his diagnosis. During this time, he dealt with the transition from what initially seemed like a running injury to a serious medical condition.
Despite the challenges, Griggs has fought his way back to fitness and form. His potential was first noticed when he was just 16 years old, running a startling time of 14:15.98 in a senior 5,000m race in Belfast. In 2022, he ran a European Under-20 record of 3:56.40 in the mile indoors. His breakthrough season came in 2024, where he destroyed Irish Under-23 records in the 1,500m, 3,000m, and 5,000m.
Griggs' recent brush with illness has given him a greater appreciation for the sport he loves. He found motivation in grief, resolving to honor his brother Josh by making the most of his running. Tragically, Josh was killed in a work-related accident in Banbridge, Co Down, at the age of 19, one month after Nick's breakthrough run in Belfast.
Two weeks after Josh's funeral, Griggs won the Irish Under-20 3,000m title and the European Under-20 3,000m gold medal, both at the age of 16. This weekend, Griggs will race the 1,500m at the National Championships in Santry.
Griggs' brother Josh, one of his strongest supporters, played for Brackaville Owen Roes GAA club while Nick hung up his boots. Despite the hardships, Nick's story is a testament to the power of determination and the healing power of sport.
[1] BBC Sport. (2025, March 10). Nick Griggs: Northern Ireland runner overcomes osteomyelitis to win European Under-20 3,000m gold. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/56504715
[2] The Irish News. (2025, March 10). Nick Griggs: Northern Ireland athlete's remarkable recovery from osteomyelitis. Retrieved from https://www.irishnews.com/sport/2025/03/10/news/nick-griggs-northern-ireland-athletes-remarkable-recovery-from-osteomyelitis-1843827/
- In spite of his setback from osteomyelitis, a bone infection caused by his fall at the European Cross Country Championships, Griggs has maintained a keen interest in fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness, especially mental-health, as he continues his journey in sports, such as football and various European leagues, like Laliga.
- Nick Griggs's resilience and determination, evident in his return to competitive running after battling osteomyelitis, demonstrate his suitability for science, particularly the field of sports medicine, where he could contribute to advancing our understanding of health-related issues in fitness-and-exercise.
- Inspired by his brother Josh's memory, Nick Griggs's remarkable recovery from osteomyelitis has not only brought him back to the track but also fueled his passion for football, which he shares with his late brother, who was part of Brackaville Owen Roes GAA club.
- Nick Griggs' story of overcoming adversity, including his battle with osteomyelitis, is a powerful reminder of the positive impact that sports, such as football, can have on mental-health and serves as an inspiration for young athletes, demonstrating the healing power of fitness-and-exercise and the importance of maintaining physical wellness.
