Charity run to remember popular Navan athlete

The family of well known Navan athlete Patsy Fitzsimons who died suddenly last year, has organised a 5km charity run to honour his memory.

The 5km Patsy Fitzsimons Memorial Run will take place in Blackwater Park in Navan - where Patsy regularly took part in the weekly Park Run - on Saturday 12th April at 2pm.

Patsy died suddenly on 16th April in Berlin where he had just arrived with his wife Bridie for a city break.

It has been a traumatic and heartbreaking year for his family , his wife, Bridie, daughters, Lorna, Emma, sons, Kevin, Colin and his six grandchildren, but they decided it was important to honour his memory and decided to host the 5km charity run in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation.

Patsy was a popular local athlete who took up running at the age of 32 and continued his involvement until his death last year at the age of 74.

He was a member of the South O Hanlon AC and was a regular at the Park Run in Navan on a Saturday morning.

He won the over 60s title in the Club la Santa Lanzarote International running challenge in November 2012. That race comprised a 10k road, 13k ridge and 5k beach run and finished with a half marathon over four consecutive days. He ran the Belfast marathon twice, Galway once and the Dublin City marathon eight times where at age 48 he completed his quickest time at in 1999 at 3hrs 6mins. He completed countless races all over Ireland.

“He always embodied the saying age is only a number,” said his daughter Lorna.

“We decided around Christmas to hold a memorial run for him and we have been organising it since January. We are running it with Justrace.ie and Eventmaster.”We all intend to take part. It will be chipped and timed and we hope to have a fun family atmosphere.

“We have had huge support from local running clubs, gyms and have got lot of sponsorship. Navan Running Club got the permit on our behalf and Bohermeen AC were also a great help.”

There will also be a virtual option for participants with people already signed up to run in New York, Hong Kong, Canada, England, Spain and Australia. Patsy was born and raised in Cummerstown, County Westmeath. He attended St Finian's College and played hurling for his local team, Lough Lene Gaels.

Patsy married Collinstown native Bridie and the couple moved to Navan. Patsy worked for Louth County Council up until his retirement in 2011.He spent his retirement gardening, running and travelling with Bridie and devoted his time to his six grandchildren, who adored him.

Funds raised at the 5km run, which takes place on 12th April in Blackwater Park in Navan (2pm) will go to the IHF.

To enter, go to justrace.ie.