Running for Johnny

In December 2019, the Cavan athletics community collectively mourned the loss of Cavan Town man Johnny McCormack. Johnny was much loved and respected, which was evident by the large volume of people who came to his funeral and the clubs which formed guards of honour.

One of those groups, The Killygarry Running Club, is now organising its annual Night Run dedicated to Johnny with the funds going to a charity close to the McCormack family.

“Everybody knew Johnny,” says his sister, Sandra McCormack. “He worked in the barracks as a plumber for years. He was very involved with the local rugby club, then he joined the Killygarry Running Club. He got big into swimming and cycling, so when he took up triathlon no one was surprised. He had a quiet way of going about his business and helping a lot of people.

“In April 2019 he was handed a death sentence,” Sandra tells of her brother’s cancer.

“He wasn’t well around February 2019, when the diagnosis came through, they told him he had six to 12 months to live. He passed in December 2019.”

The idea to have an event in Johnny’s memory soon came: “We thought there would be no better way to celebrate Johnny’s life than with a run. Our Johnny’s Run, was due to take place in March 2020, but was put on hold until now because of Covid restrictions.”

The First Cavan Night Run took place back in 2015 when Killygarry Running Club organised the event with all proceeds going to the local St Vincent de Paul and Cavan/Monaghan Palliative Care. The timed run, walk or jog in and around Cavan Town returns on Wednesday, March 16, starting at 8pm.

“Peter Walsh of Killygarry Running Club suggested that we give the procedes from the Night Run to St Christopher’s Hospice, which looked after Johnny so well for the last seven weeks of his life,” an emotional Sandra says.

Registration is online at www.active.com but participants can also register at McMahons on the day from 4-7.45pm. The cost of entry is €15 for adult, €13 online, or €30 for a family.