AS THE Cook Medical Mini Marathon returns to Shannonside this Sunday (October 6), one Limerick mother is lacing up her tackies not just for a good cause, but to honour the memory of her late husband who died tragically last December.
Grace O’Connor described her late husband, James, as a “noble” man and devoted father, whose legacy of love and strength continues to inspire her and their three children – Chris (16), Lilly (13), and James Jnr (9) – who will join her on Sunday’s run.
James O’Connor died tragically last December of a high-altitude pulmonary edema as he neared the summit of Kilimanjaro – a celebratory expedition for his 40th birthday. His grieving wife told the Limerick Post that she was left devastated after reports falsely circulated about the brave Limerick chef suffering a heart attack on the mountain.
She said she wanted her taking on the Cook Mini Marathon this week in his honour to “shine a light on his life”.
“I don’t want to do this run, if I’m honest, after gaining maybe three stone after he died,” Grace confessed, describing the prospect of the mini marathon as “literally just like hell”.
Instead of giving up, she says she is mounting the challenge for James, who always encouraged her and their children to go running with him.
“Everything I do I’m just trying to get by with my kids. Every last thing I do is for him,” she says. “I just hear him saying ‘come on, you can do it’.”
The 2024 Cook Medical Mini Marathon kicks off this Sunday from 12pm at the UL Sports Arena with 3,000 expected to take part.
