Legendary Mayo athlete reveals idea behind Remembrance Run

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Remembrance Run 5k – the walk or run event taking place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, on Sunday, November 9 – founder Frank Greally talked about how he came up with the idea for this unique event, organised by Athletics Ireland.

The Ballyhaunis native and legendary athlete said: “I founded the event in memory of my dear friend Con Houlihan, who would have been 100 this year. Con used to say that we all have a primal need/wish to be remembered.”

Frank continued: “A day before leaving to cover the 2012 Olympics for Irish Runner Magazine (which Frank established and edited for 37 years), I visited Con in St. James's Hospital and we both sensed that it would be the last time we would meet this side of the great divide. 'I'm on the last slope,' Con said. 'You'll get along without me, but maybe not as well,' he added with a wry smile.

“It was when I returned from the Olympics that I decided to create an event in Con's memory – a walk or run 5k remembrance event in the Phoenix Park that would include choirs, music, poetry and song, as well as a wall of remembrance where participants could write names of family and friends passed, along with heartfelt messages. A big screen would also be an additional feature to display photos and messages that participants would send in prior to the event.

“It took a little while but my employer, Athletics Ireland, warmed to my idea and the inaugural Remembrance Run 5k in November 2012 was an instant success as people of all ages joined together in the Phoenix Park in fond memory of loved ones passed while also celebrating their own gift of days and the joy of living.

“Participants tell us that they find comfort and healing when taking part in the event, and the one minute's silence shortly before the start is always a very profound moment to experience.”

FLEETING

Frank, who has been immersed in athletics almost all his life, went on: “Life is fickle and fleeting, and we never know what's around the bend for any of us. On a Monday last November, I called my friend Johnny Duhan, songwriter and singer who composed the popular song 'The Voyage'. We had a lovely catch-up chat, and made plans to go for a walk on the Thursday of that week from Salthill to the Claddagh in Galway. A day later, Johnny drowned while swimming in the sea at Silver Strand.

“I'll always be glad that I made that catch-up call to Johnny and also that I made a long-promised trip three years ago to visit my only brother Tom in Australia. Tom died suddenly less than a year after my visit.

“The Remembrance Run 5k – Walk or Run event gives us all an opportunity to pause and fondly remember family and friends passed. A lot of families and friends make it a complete day of remembrance by participating in the event and then going for lunch or dinner together later in the day. When the writer Edna O'Brien was asked by singer Noel O'Grady how she would like to be remembered, she responded with just one word: 'Fondly'. I think that's the way most people would like to be remembered.”

Noel co-wrote the theme song for the Remembrance Run 5K with Frank Greally, entitled 'I'm Still Close By' in the words of someone passed. Noel incorporated Edna O'Brien's words to him in a verse of the song: “I once was asked how I would like to be remembered / My answer was just to fondly be remembered / So as we walk, we will gently sing our song / And share the joys that forever will live on / The falling leaves are golden now / And golden too my precious time with you / I've gone to sleep but I'm still close by / For as long as I'm remembered I will never die.”

GRIEF

Among those to attend the launch event was Olympic boxer Mick Dowling, who boxed over 50 times for Ireland, including the 1968 and 1972 Olympic games held in Mexico City and Munich. The two-time Olympian spoke first-hand of his experience of grief having lost two of his brothers in recent weeks.

Mick, who came from a family of 16, stated: “In the past three weeks I’ve buried two of my brothers – John, who was my older brother, and a week or so later we lost Joe, who was my boxing coach. I would never have achieved anything without Joe, who was a brilliant coach.

“Both of them were very much into traditional Irish music, which came from my dad who was an accomplished accordion player who often played on RTÉ radio.

“We had a beautiful wake for Joe, and I shook my head at it and said to myself 'This is the way I want to be remembered when I go'. It was traditional music played by his family and grandchildren, and we celebrated both of their lives that night.”

Also remembered at the gathering was former Athletics Ireland president Nick Davis, who died this year, and Maeve Kyle, a true pioneer and one of the most iconic and inspirational athletes in Irish sport who passed away in July aged 96.

As many gear up for the upcoming Dublin Marathon next month, tribute was also paid to Eamon Dolan, a long-time stalwart of that event, and so many more from the running and athletics community who have passed this year.

HEALING

The Remembrance Run 5k is more than a race – it’s a day of healing and connection. This year’s event is proudly supported by 123.ie and Evergreen Care.

Gavin Macklin, managing director of 123.ie, said: “We’ve seen first-hand how special this event is and are delighted to support Frank and all who make the Remembrance Run what it is.”

Eamonn Prone, CEO of Evergreen Care, added: “We understand the importance of community, family, and friends when a loved one passes. We’re honoured to renew our partnership with this year’s Remembrance Run.”

The Remembrance Run supports another initiatve of Mayo man Frank Greally – The Daily Mile. This is a 15-minute walk/run initiative promoted by Athletics Ireland in primary schools across Ireland.

Participants can also create a fundraising page to walk or run for their chosen charity. In 2024, over €33,000 was raised for charities close to the hearts of all those involved in the Remembrance Run 5k.

The 14th edition of the Remembrance Run 5, supported by 123.ie and Evergreen Care, takes place on Sunday, November 9, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. This special event invites participants to come together in memory of loved ones passed, in a celebration of life, love, and remembrance. Registration is via Eventmaster. Tributes can be share by emailing marketing@athleticsireland.ie. For more information, log on to remembrancerun.ie.

Frank's early days in athletics were nurtured at Ballyhaunis AC in the late '60s and continued with Dublin club Donore Harriers, with whom he won national honours in their famous black and white vest, which led him to running in the green vest of Ireland at the 1972 International Cross Country Championship in Cambridge, England.

Following a four-year scholarship at East Tennessee State University in the USA, Frank returned to Ireland determined to make another lasting contribution to athletics and in 1981 he established Irish Runner Magazine, which he would edit for 37 years.