It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Tommy Hayward. At 95 years of age, Tommy was the longest surviving member of Donore Harriers having joined in 1941. He had just celebrated his 95th birthday last week on 29.03.2016. Tommy was a member of the first Donore team to win the AAU Senior Cross Country Championships circa 1943.

He was a great committee man, joining the the Donore committee in the mid 1940’s. Up to last September 2015, Tommy had attended every consecutive AGM for 75 years. He was very interested in the development of the club and influential in it’s success. In 1957 he took over as the club Secretary for almost 10 years. As part of a great trio, along with Pat Mullally (Treasurer) and Eddie Hogan (Head Coach), he oversaw the Halcyon days of Donore when the club became a powerhouse in distance running and track and field. In later years he also served as club President.

At national level he was one of the negotiators in the formation of BLE in 1967 and has always been on hand to serve at any athletic promotion where his services are required. Up until last summer Tommy was still very active in athletics, helping out with the Dublin graded track and field events. In 2010 he was honoured as official of the year at the Athletics Ireland Awards.

Tommy was also a great family man and beloved husband of his late wife Maura. Our condolences to Eric and Muriel and to his greater family and many friends.

May he Rest in Peace.

Ann Woodlock has won the W75 1500m at the European Masters Indoor Championships in Ancona, Italy. Ann dominated the race from early on, crossing the line in 7 mins 31.28 secs. The oldest woman in the field at 77, she was well clear of second placed Eva Osborne (Great Britain) in 7:45.59.  That’s a second medal of the championships for Ann after taking bronze in the W75 3,000m earlier in the week.

Meanwhile Anne Gormley finished 10th in the 3000m track walk W50 on March 31.

Photo: Ann Woodlock (L) Fonnuala Britton (McCormack) (R), Courtesy of Lindie Naughton

News in from the European Masters Indoor championships in Ancona Italy.

Ann Woodlock won W75 bronze in the 3000m in 16.10.74. In a very close finish Ann was a fraction of a second off the silver medal from the British athlete Eva Osborne and well clear of the rest of the field. Ann competes later in the week in the 1500m.

Congratulations Ann.

A belated, big Congratulations to Louis O’Loughlin on his magnificent win in the recent SIAB Schools International cross country in Falkirk, Scotland.

Louis was one of the star performers for Ireland in Callendar Park back on March 19th. The Donore man of Moyle Park College had an outstanding run over 4,000m to clinch the junior boys race in a time of 12:54. In doing so he convincingly beat the pre race favourite, Harris Mier from England and led the Irish team to a bronze medal.

It has been a great few weeks for Louis with double gold success in Athlone at the National indoors and also the receipt of the Emerald Crystal Juvenile All Star Award in Tullamore recently.

Some other recent club catchups are as follows:

Niall Lynch had a great win in the Wicklow Gaol break half marathon on March 20th where he had an impressive 74.24 finish.

Belated well done to the group of runners from the Fit4Life Group who ran the scenic Rock n Road Half marathon in Kinvara Co Clare on March 6th.
Neil Maddox 1.45.48
Claire Devaney 1.48.40
Anne Rushe 1.55.01
Julie Gallagher 1.58.06
Deirdre Healy 2.04.10
Jo Hughes 2.04.15

Over the Easter weekend there was the Brian Boru 10 mile road race in St Anne’s Raheny which also doubles as the Leinster 10 mile championship. Barry Potts won the M65 gold in 69.42, followed by Des Gill 72.00, Amy Moriarty 76.09 who ran despite flu, and Terry Mee 78.41 gold in M70 class.

Elaine Verdon ran through a hailstorm in the Cardiff half marathon (an international race which was also the world half marathon championship) to finish in a very good 1.43.

Aine Mahony ran the Good Friday 8k Forest run in Emo park Laois in 34.31.

Monday morning, although cloaked in sadness, could not have been a more perfect morning to say goodbye to our cherished Jim Mac. Crowds gathered at the Polo grounds to greet Jim and his family as they arrived to the Park shortly after 10.30am.  A beautiful day of sunshine provided an opportunity for Jim’s wider family in athletics to say farewell to our brother.  Like many of us, Jim loved running in the Phoenix Park and on the Polos, where he trained hard and coached for over 50 years.  Few of us who stood there would have believed that Jim would have left us as he did, we all secretly expected to one day find Jim within the walls of the Park.  I think Jim would have probably liked that too.

On behalf of Donore Harriers, thank you to all of you that came along to say goodbye; thank you to all of you who wore your club colours next to the black and white of Donore and thank you for all the kind words and tributes received from near and afar over the last few days.  It was a very fitting send off for a perfect Gent.

Here are some links to great tributes penned over the past few days:

Jim McNamara – Pain is temporary glory is forever.

Blessed Among Women – An Irishman’s Diary about gentleman Jim McNamara

Spirit of Running – Jim McNamara an appreciation by Frank Greally

Funeral arrangements for Jim on Monday morning are as follows:

Removal on Monday morning 14th March 2016 from his residence to the Church of the Most Precious Blood, Cabra West arriving at 11.15 o’c for Mass at 11. 30 o’c. Funeral afterwards to Mount Jerome Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Donore Harriers Running Club. House Private.

Before the funeral on Monday morning Jim will be brought to his beloved polo grounds in the Phoenix Park, arriving at 10:30. Club members/friends are invited to assemble at the pavilion at the polo ground at that time (car parking on Chesterfield Avenue and in the zoo car park only please).

As a mark of respect Donore Harriers clubhouse will be closed all day Monday 14th March 2016. Also, the committee meeting which was scheduled for Monday night has been cancelled until further notice.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

A tribute to the distance legend and Donore stalwart penned two years ago by Anne Curley on the occasion of Jim’s 75th birthday

Jim Mac: You Are My Hero

Jim McNamara is quite simply a running legend. Since his emergence in the early 1960s he has won many titles, set numerous records, and represented Ireland in the 1976 Olympic marathon. He has a marathon best of 2:14. His 3:59 for 1500m at age 45 is still ranked eighth in the world. His 31:50 for 10,000m at 50 is ranked ninth.

Jim is widely known and hugely respected for those achievements, but less well known for his brilliance as a coach, an avocation he took up essentially out of the goodness of his heart.

Back in 1995 the women’s group at Donore Harriers was rudderless and in disarray, and though Jim was already busy training the men – and still competing at a high level – he agreed to take the ladies under his wing. He can hardly have suspected what he was getting into but he has stayed with the commitment for two decades and is as busy as ever.

The first night I arrived at Donore, in October 2000, Jim was marked absent – a very rare occurrence I was told. I asked what was the problem.

Some years earlier, Jim had decided, after years of endurance running, to change focus and attack the world M50 record for 800m. The combination of intense speedwork, a demanding day job and parenting three children after being widowed a decade earlier soon took its toll; he collapsed while training in Belfield in 1991. He was diagnosed with arrhythmia and put on medication for life, and though he has not been quite the same runner since, he never stopped training and racing.

He still managed to post 79 minutes for the half marathon at 60 years of age, a national age-group record.

Jim suffered recurring palpitations – the pulse would fluctuate wildly, often for hours – and a year later one such bout nearly killed him. It lasted for days and it was during his recovery that I joined the club, hence his absence on the night.

So without the pleasure of meeting Jim I joined in with a group that included Betty Kehoe, Ann Woodlock and Sheila Hannigan.

Betty told me all about Jim and soon I felt I knew him well despite having yet to meet him. She spoke of his fierce devotion to running despite his heart problems. She also said he was made of ‘the hard stuff’ – stuff that few others are made of. She was right.

I explained to my newfound friends that I loved running but after some recent bad experiences had been tempted to give up, and if I didn’t like it in Donore that would be it.

Without hesitation Sheila said, ‘That won’t happen, because Jim will motivate you.’ And again she was right.

I went down the following Saturday morning for the session on the Magazine Hills, nervous having not trained with a group in years but eager to meet this legend called Jim Mac. It was the start of an incredible running journey that I am still on at 43 years young.

Coaching is a tough job. You need patience and insight. A certificate in coaching doesn’t necessarily cut it. Bad coaches are like bad teachers – they can damage people.

Jim Mac has been motivating women of all ages and all abilities for 20 years without making noise about it and without taking a cent. He has mentored teams from beginner to elite standard and the medals won are too numerous to mention. And there is no agenda other than to help his girls get fitter, take pride in competing, and become more confident in the process.

Once you join Jim’s group you become part of a family. You might have since moved to the US or Australia but you will remain on his Christmas card list, which numbers 150 and counting.

I suspect there are some who envy Jim and his rapport with women. How, without having a mental meltdown, does he manage a large group of feisty females ranging in age from 21 to 75?

Well for a start Jim always welcomes everybody, not just readymade talents. Over the years he took stick for wasting his expertise on ‘handbag runners’. But Jim can spot potential that others miss. There is no magic formula, anybody can improve with hard work, and he is prepared to put the work in, to transform a jogger into a real runner.

Jim’s work ethic has been without question but the X factor is his character as a person. Women respect him because there is no hidden agenda, no smarm or bravado, no Messiah complex. He doesn’t try to be nice – he just is.

There is no insecurity about him; you don’t have to be friendly first for him to like you back – he will see the good in you and in everybody.

Jim doesn’t go the extra mile – it’s more a marathon, and there are numerous examples. Buying a pair of spikes or paying travel fares for athletes out of his own pocket; travelling far and wide with his girls for racing and training at his own expense; helping some get jobs by using his contacts.

He suffered a stroke in 2007 and he was back coaching in the club a week after leaving hospital. He would bus it to Navan to coach an athlete and still make it back for the 7pm session in Chapelizod, often struggling with dizziness.

Jim has been a regular at the many weddings of his girls over the years and has been a regular visitor to maternity hospitals on happy occasions. He has also visited hospitals for the sad occasions.

When his girls have a good race he is happier than they are. When they have a bad race they still get a hug and gentle, sound advice. There is no negative shouting from the sidelines; the roaring will be all encouragement.

His numerous medals are in biscuit tins under the stairs and not one photograph of himself is on display in his house. As for the latest gadgets and gear, his only concessions to bling are the lightweight racers in funky colours. He has struggled to make ends meet for most of his life but is the most generous person you will meet. If Jim were a millionaire he would still be running in the Phoenix Park – he calls it ‘a healing park’ – at seven each morning.

So what is the enigma that is Jim Mac and why is he one of the most loveable men you will meet? Jim is a hard man – as an athlete he has always had the kamikaze instinct – yet as a coach he’s as gentle as the proverbial ‘Irish mammy’. He may be the only man on the planet who can tell a girl she’s looking a little heavy and still get a hug.

Jim was born with superior natural ability but he was also of a golden era of runners that trained so hard they didn’t need a drug. Under the guidance of the great Eddie Hogan he enjoyed every minute and mile of that painful graft. Like many of his generation, Jim made the Olympics while holding down a day job.

As for me, I have come a long way since I first met Jim in October 2000. Many championship medals won, numerous hard battles fought, and thousands of miles later I’m a healthier and happier person than I was then.

The journey running takes you on is a constant cycle of pain and pleasure, disappointment and triumph. But if you are hooked you will keep coming back for more. And as long as Jim is there keeping an eye on things, that is enough to keep me going.

Nothing good lasts forever and it’s hard to imagine who will take the reins from Jim when the times comes.
You won’t see another of his kind again, the legend that is Jim Mac, who has devoted a noble life to his club and his sport – and for all the years since I met him to his beloved girls.

Happy birthday, Jim! Thanks a million for all the miles and all the laughter and all the good times! We love you!

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Jim McNamara. Jim died peacefully last night, surrounded by his family. He joined Donore Harriers in January 1963 and was a great athlete, a great friend, a gentleman and a wonderful clubman.

A true legend of athletics, in 2013 Jim was awarded the IAAF Jubilee Gold Medal medal for his services to the sport he loved so much. To his children James, Shane and Andrea and the rest of his family we offer our deepest condolences and thanks. Jim was predeceased by his loving wife Betty who died in 1981.

May he Rest in Peace.

Removal on Monday morning, 14th March 2016, from his residence to the Church of the Most Precious Blood, Cabra West arriving at 11.15am for Mass at 11.30am. Funeral afterwards to Mount Jerome Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Donore Harriers Running Club. House private.

Anne Curley penned this piece for Jim’s 75th Birthday

Thank you to all those who have paid tribute to Jim today. Here is an article by fellow club member Frank McNally following our ’This is Your Life’ tribute night held for Jim on Saturday 18th May 2013.

The paradox of a running legend
An Irishman’s Diary: A demon to compete against, a pleasure to deal with

If doctors ever get to dissect Jim McNamara’s heart, they may discover that, like that of many great athletes, it’s unusually large. But it would be no surprise if they also find a mysterious black stripe running across it, horizontally.

Throughout his athletics career, but especially in the 1960s and 1970s, McNamara was a big part of the reason the famous black-hooped singlet of Donore Harriers inspired such fear among rivals. He and his team-mates were like the modern-day Kenyans, the mere appearance of their colours enough to intimidate.

Among many other things, they won 16 consecutive national cross-country team titles, an achievement probably unrivalled anywhere. The era passed eventually, as eras do. And the black hoop is not quite so much feared these days. But “Gentleman Jim” remains as committed to the club’s cause as ever, albeit now mainly as coach.

Founded in 1893, Donore is marking a big milestone this year. Among the celebratory events, last weekend, was a “This is Your Life” tribute to the great man. Which was doubly apt, because not only is McNamara the embodiment of all the club’s virtues, he also represents an impressively large part of its history.

The joke was that he too is celebrating 120 years, but that was an exaggeration. In fact, he’s been involved with Donore for only a little over 50. Even so, the collaboration stretches back to what now seems like another age.

It was an age when, for example, the concept of abstention from alcohol as part of a running programme had not yet caught on. McNamara recalled returning from championships on team buses stocked with crates of beer and bottles of vodka and then continuing celebrations in the Black and Amber Inn in Islandbridge, near the humble cottage Donore called home.

That they drank hard is a matter of record. That they trained even harder has been elevated partly into legend. If half of it is true, it was awe-inspiring. And even among the hard men, McNamara was known for masochism. The reputation followed him in races, where it was a given that he would never concede easily. There was no more chilling sound in running once, apparently, than McNamara’s cough, heard behind you, closing in.

Despite this, and all the club glories to which he was central, his senior career nearly ended unfulfilled. A team ethic and general unselfishness had probably cost him on occasion, as did badly-timed injuries and the natural cruelties of his defining distance: the marathon. In any case, approaching 37, he had still never been to the Olympics.

That all changed on one glorious day in 1976. The qualifier for Montreal was a simple equation: the first three would travel. Unfortunately, as McNamara recalls, he was by then “about the 12th best marathon runner” in Ireland.

It must have helped that the race was in Limerick, home of his father’s people, who turned out in great numbers to witness his entry into the last-chance saloon. Whatever the inspiration, it proved the greatest day of his running life. Although beaten in a classic by Danny McDaid (who broke the national record), the Donore man knocked eight minutes off his personal best to finish second in 2.14.57.

Montreal wasn’t one of his best, by contrast. But as the great Maeve Kyle said on his tribute night, just to be an Olympian puts you in an elite club. And few people before or since have deserved the recognition as much as the ultimate club man, Gentleman Jim.

He still had an illustrious masters career ahead then, with a plethora of European and world titles. And in fact, at 74, he continues to win gold medals, most recently from the International Association of Athletics Federations, for a lifetime’s contribution to the sport, the most recent part of which has a certain irony.

Most of McNamara’s running career happened when – Kyle apart – women were still rare in Irish athletics. There were none in Donore then (and not many in the Black and Amber Inn either). But for 20 years now, McNamara has been the coach of an ever-growing Donore women’s section. And not the least impressive thing about the tribute night was the obvious affection he has inspired among a generation of female athletes.

Their latest captain, Florrie Curley, spoke for many when she credited him with transforming her own early experience of sport, which had been mostly negative. She credited his easy-going manner and lack of ego. But she also mentioned his “understated authority” and provided a telling example. A few years ago, McNamara suffered a stroke and was thought seriously ill. In true athletics style, however, his recovery period was short. Within 48 hours, Florrie got a call from the hospital bed, reminding her gently that the Tuesday night session should be “12 x 400 repeats”.