Cork woman: I'm doing Mini Marathon to keep James' spirit alive

James O’Connor, who died on his 40th birthday on December 5, 2023, while climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, is remembered as a man with a zest for life.

He was someone who lived his life with passion and he had filled the equivalent of two lives here on earth.

Now, his sister-in-law Liz Madden, together with James’ sisters, are taking part in The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon this Sunday, September 22, to remember the man “with a zest for life”.

“James was a one-off,” says Liz, who lives in Togher.

“He was a dedicated dad to his three kids, and he was a magnificent uncle to all his nephews and nieces. And he was great fun.”

James, who worked as a chef at Tony’s Bistro on North Main Street Cork, was Mr Motivator.

“He was really into his health and fitness,” says Liz. “That’s how we all started to get fit.

A gang of us did the Cork City Marathon last year. We all kept up the fitness and running. We keep his spirit alive in that way.

“Melissa, Catriona, Lorraine and I are doing the mini marathon together. James’s wife Grace will support us.

“We have kept our t-shirts from the Cork City Marathon which we’ll wear on the day of the mini marathon.”

They all keep up the memory of James, who was cut down in the prime of life, suffering a fatal heart attack 320ft away from the summit of Kilimanjaro.

“We were all very close,” says Liz.

“We were all connected, and we miss James terribly.”

James, first and foremost a family man, was into keeping himself fit, healthy, and well.

“James was an incredible father,” says Liz. “When he came home from work at Tony’s Bistro, he’d go out into the front garden and kick ball with the kids.

He got up really early every morning when he’d have an ice bath before going for a run. We never knew where he got his energy from!

James lived life to the full.

“He’d record a lot of his fitness work-outs. He lived for every moment. He taught us how to live our lives living every moment.”

James, with no fear, was a risk-taker.

“The altitude so high up on the mountain could prove dangerous,” says Liz.

“We know of a young Cork woman who lost her life the same way James did, from high-altitude pulmonary edema.”

This is a life-threatening form of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema that occurs in otherwise healthy people at altitudes typically above 2,500 metres.

However, cases have also been reported between 1,500 to 2,500 metres or 4,900 to 8,200 feet in more vulnerable subjects.

“High altitude is an unnatural environment,” says Liz.

Team James is gearing up for September 22.

“We all like keeping fit and healthy,” says Liz.

James would like that. He would think it was cool that all of us together are doing the mini marathon in his memory.

James, from Whitechurch, was a cool uncle.

“My son Nigel adored him,” says Liz. “James was a beautiful uncle. All the kids loved to see him coming!”

The team at Tony’s Bistro will love to see James’s loved ones coming into the restaurant after the mini marathon.

“James was a great cook who loved to cook for everyone,” says Liz.

“After the mini marathon, we’ll head to Tony’s Bistro to celebrate, and to celebrate James’s fulfilled life.”

The family will celebrate James’s memory.

“Taking part in the mini marathon is our way of keeping James’ memory alive,” says Liz.

He will never be forgotten. James was a one-off.

HOW TO TAKE PART IN THE ECHO MINI MARATHON

Registration is open for The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon.

Now in its 43rd year, the event is hosted by Cork Athletics. It raises approximately €1.5m for charities each year.

The 5km event will take place on September 22 at 1pm. The race starts on Kennedy Quay and finishes in Kennedy Park.

Keep an eye on the Mini Marathon Facebook page and website in the coming days for more updates.

Participants can register at https://www.echolive.ie/minimarathon

Nourish are the training partner. Brenda Dennehy is the brand ambassador.

See tomorrow’s WoW! for more personal stories on why people are taking part in this year’s mini marathon.