Back from left, Road Runners members, Martin Downes, Paul Reynolds, Kieran Dodrill, Vinny Kenny, Shane Nohilly, Denis Reynolds and Martin Fitzpatrick, and Eamonn Brady of LARCC; (seated at front) Catherine Tormey, Susan Reynolds, Bernie McHugh and Patricia Carroll, all of LARCC.

NY marathon ‘Road Runners’ hand funds over to LARCC

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Back from left, Road Runners members, Martin Downes, Paul Reynolds, Kieran Dodrill, Vinny Kenny, Shane Nohilly, Denis Reynolds and Martin Fitzpatrick, and Eamonn Brady of LARCC; (seated at front) Catherine Tormey, Susan Reynolds, Bernie McHugh and Patricia Carroll, all of LARCC.

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The Road Runners (back) Martin Downes, Paul Reynolds, Kieran Dodrill, Vinny Kenny and Shane Nohilly; (front) Martin Fitzpatrick and Denis Reynolds.

Published: Thu 8 Feb 2024, 10:59 AM

Last updated: Thu 8 Feb 2024, 11:04 AM

The ‘Road Runners’ who completed the New York City Marathon in memory of the late wife of one of them have presented the funds they raised to LARCC.

Kieran Dodrill was central to the group, and he said their efforts were a tribute to his wife, Maura, who passed away from leukaemia in 2019.

Maura received treatment at St James’s Hospital in Dublin and also used the LARCC services, and it was for that reason that Kieran and seven of his friends chose those as the charities that they would endeavour to raise funds for.

They had originally planned to do the New York City Marathon in 2019, but the Covid-19 pandemic meant they couldn’t go ahead then. “Eventually we got around to doing it last year,” Kieran told the Westmeath Examiner.

“So the eight of us took on the challenge, and headed off to do the New York City Marathon in aid of St James’s and the LARCC in Multyfarnham.”

“We also had other fundraising events, like a tractor run from Clonkill GAA grounds last October; our goal was to reach €10,000 but with the help of family, friends, Clodagh’s (Kieran’s daughter) school (Sonna NS) and all the people who donated, we have reached a total €21,115 (of which €10k went to St James’s).

“We, the ‘Road Runners’, are blown away by the generosity of everyone. “I want to thank everyone for all their generosity,” said Kieran. “It really means a lot to me and especially the two charities who will put the monies to good use.” He also expressed his gratitude to the two charities. Kieran said he enjoyed the challenge, though “it was tough at times”, and all eight members of the group finished the marathon, some of them in less than four hours.