Where a Mayo man’s inspiration for the annual Remembrance Run came from

by Kasey Clarke

The annual Remembrance Run, founded by Ballyhaunis native Frank Greally, is organized by Athletics Ireland and supported by Spar.

This year's event will be the 10th anniversary of the popular event, attracting over 5,000 entrees as people run 5k to remember their loved ones.

With a difficult year in 2020 the run went virtual, allowing people to complete the 5k within their own community.

However, this year it is back in Phoenix Park on November 14 with live music by the Forget Me Not Choir performing on the main stage. The choir had close associations with the late Brendan Grace.

There will also be a special token of a souvenir candle for those who participate.

The Remembrance Run is a special way to bring families and friends together of all age groups to remember those loved ones we carry in our hearts everyday.

I got the opportunity to speak to Frank Greally on how the idea of the remembrance run came about a decade ago.

He said: “It only feels like a few years have passed since I came up with the idea.

“It came to me at the London Olympics when the news came through to me of my dear friend Con Houlihan’s passing in St James Hospital.

“Con had been for many years the king of the back page of the Evening Press, a sportswriter without peer and a long time friend and mentor to me.

“I had visited Con in St. James’s Hospital before leaving to cover the track and field competitions at the Olympics and we both knew it would be our last time to meet in this mortal world. Con said to me: ‘I'm on the last slope now. You’ll get along without me but maybe not as well’.

“Nine years on, Con’s words still echo in my head.

“Con used to say that ‘The last time’ are the three most poignant words in any language.'

“He wrote a lovely piece about the last day that he worked in the bog with his father in his native Castleisland in Kerry. He was about to move to Dublin and a new career in journalism.

“Con wrote: ‘I knew I was going away to a different world and I would never work in the bog again’.

“At about six o’clock we raked the embers of the fire together and quenched them with whatever water we had left over and with the tea that remained in the kettle.

“I was pierced with an infinite sadness. I always say there are three sad words in any language: ‘The last time’.

“In the course of our many conversations in Con’s Dublin home in Portabello, Con often spoke about the theme of remembrance and our primal need/wish to be remembered- even in some small way.

“When the news of Con’s passing reached me in London, I was about to leave my hotel for another day covering the Olympics. A good friend of mine (Brendan) was with me when we got the news and we just looked at each other and agreed that there were more important things to do than rush to the Olympic stadium.

“Let’s pause for an hour, sit down, have a cup of tea and remember Con, I suggested to Brendan and he was immediately in full agreement.

“It was later that day I came up with the idea for the remembrance run 5k and my employers, Athletics Ireland, supported my idea and organized the inaugural event in the Phoenix Park that November and every remembrance run 5K that has taken place there since.

“My idea was to create a unique event, a walk or run 5k that would include choirs, music, song and a special wall of remembrance where participants could write the names of loved ones passed with accompanying messages.

“We are delighted to be able to host the live remembrance run 5k in the Phoenix Park on November 14. Our thanks to the OPW for their help in making this happen. Entry to the virtual Remembrance Run 5k also available and people walk or run in their own neighborhood with family and friends.

“We all missed having the live event in the Pheonix Park last year due to the pandemic restrictions.

“Let us together celebrate the lives of family and friends who have passed on. We will also remember in a special way all those who have died as a result of Covid-19 virus,” Frank added.

The link to the remebrance run page is: http://remembrancerun.ie/wp/