by Alan Jacques
26 Limerick heroes are gearing up for the Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run on May 3 next with each mile representing a triumph of the human spirit.
The ’26 Miles for 26 Great Limerick Heroes’ campaign was created by Denyse O’Brien, a Cork woman now based in Limerick.
The original idea was that 26 people were going to run 26 miles in the Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run in May, in support of 26 different causes or charities in Limerick.
However, the campaign has gone from strength to strength to such an extent that there are now 104 runners planning on participating to run or walk for their chosen charities.
“As well as the 26 marathon runners, we have four marathon relay teams and countless people doing the 10k – all already signed up before January 1. Having not been able to decide which charity to run for, we decided to dedicate one mile to one great Limerick hero,” Denyse explained.
Each mile will be dedicated to a charity, or a person who has inspired others.
Brian Hogan, a Limerick man who suffered severe brain damage and was left blind and partially paralysed after an unprovoked attack in Nottingham, will be participating in the marathon for Headway, an organisation that brings positive change in the lives of those affected by an acquired brain injury.
Brian is Mile 26 in ’26 Miles for 26 Great Limerick Heroes’.
While Fionnbar Walsh, a Limerick man who set up the Donal Walsh Foundation in memory of his son Donal, who passed away aged 16, will be Mile 16.
Mile 12 is for the Zondra Meaney Treatment Fund, which was set up so a young Limerick mother could access the treatment and medical care she so desperately needs. Zondra suffers from a very disabling disease called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder.
