A county Tyrone village will come to a stand still on Saturday 5th September when hundreds of runners are expected to weave their way around the back roads and country lanes of Eglish in a 10k race in memory of the late Cormac McAnallen.
Organisers of the event, The Cormac Trust, hope that the event will further awareness of the disease that tragically caused the death of the Tyrone star whose untimely demise caused shock throughout all sporting disciplines in Ireland. The disease also caused the death of Armagh schoolboy rugby player John McCaul and has become a major worry for the parents of all young sports people.
The race will pass two landmarks, which are particular poignant in the memory of the All-Star former Tyrone player – Pairc Chormaic, the site for a new second football field for Eglish Football Club and Cormac’s home, where he lived with his parents in the Brantry.
In addition a ‘fun-run’ will take place alongside the main event for the youth and casual walker over a 2.5 km stretch.
Speaking today, race organiser Ruairi Martin said he was confident the event would attract widespread support throughout the community, as it was an occasion to focus people’s minds in to the suddenness of this devastating heart disease that has struck down healthy people.
Ruairi added: “Cormac McAnallen was one of Ireland’s leading sportsmen and a great role model for the youth and to this day he is sadly missed.
“His memory is still fresh especially at this time of year when the Tyrone team are one game away from playing in another All-Ireland final.”
The Cormac Trust was set up in the wake of Cormac’s death in March 2004 to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Death and diseases that cause it, through the promotion of screenings and lobbying for better cardiac provision among the young. They have also provided defibrillators in scores of football clubs throughout Ireland.
It is hoped that runners or even walkers taking part in the event will collect sponsorship in advance to enable the trust to continue providing life-saving defibrillators throughout the country. To date they have donated in excess of 150 throughout Ireland to clubs and organisations.
Entries cost £10 each. The race starts at 3.00 p.m.
https://www.thecormactrust.com/10k-run-app-form/