Remembrance Run 5K – Phoenix Park, Sunday November 9th, 2025 Supported by 123.ie & Evergreen Care
The 5K walk or run route to fond remembrance
The renowned sportswriter Con Houlihan used to say that “The Last Time” are three of the most poignant words in any language.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Remembrance Run 5K – the Walk or Run event taking place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, November 9th, Remembrance Run 5K founder Frank Greally talked about how he came up with the idea for this unique event, organised by Athletics Ireland.
“I founded the event in memory of my dear friend Con Houlihan, who would have been 100 this year,” Frank said.” Con used to say that we all have a primal need/ wish to be remembered.
A day before leaving to cover the 2012 Olympics for Irish Runner Magazine, I visited Con in St James’s Hospital and we both sensed that it would be the last time we would meet this side of the great divide. I’m on the last slope,” Con said. “You’ll get along without me, but maybe not as well,” he said with a wry smile.
“It was when I returned from the Olympics that I decided to create an event in Con’s memory – a Walk or Run 5K Remembrance event in the Phoenix Park that would include choirs, music, poetry and song – well as a Wall Of Remembrance where participants could write names of family and friends passed – along with heartfelt messages. A Big Screen would also be an additional feature to display photos and messages that participants would send in prior to the event.”
“It took a little while, but my employer Athletics Ireland warmed to my idea and the inaugural Remembrance Run 5K in November 2012 was an instant success as people of all ages joined together in the Phoenix Park in fond memory of loved ones passed, while also celebrating their own gift of days and the joy of living. Participants tell us that they find comfort and healing when taking part in the event and the one minute’s silence shortly before the start is always a very profound moment to experience.”
“Life is fickle and fleeting and we never know what’s around the bend for any of us. On a Monday last November I called my friend Johnny Duhan, songwriter and singer who composed the popular song The Voyage. We had a lovely catch-up chat and made plans to go for a walk on the Thursday of that week from Salthill to the Claddagh in Galway. A day later, Johnny drowned while swimming in the sea at Silver Strand. I’ll always be glad that I made that catch-up call to Johnny and also that I made a long-promised trip three years ago to visit my only brother Tom in Australia. Tom died suddenly less than a year after my visit.”
“The Remembrance Run 5K – Walk or Run event gives us all an opportunity to pause and fondly remember family and friends passed. A lot of families and friends make it a complete day of remembrance by participating in the event and then going for lunch or dinner together later in the day. When the writer Edna O’Brien was asked by singer Noel O’Grady how she would like to be remembered, she responded with just one word – ‘Fondly’. I think that’s the way most people would like to be remembered.”
Noel co-wrote the theme song for the Remembrance Run 5K with Frank Greally, titled I’m Still Close By in the words of someone passed. Noel incorporated Edna O’Brien’s words to him in a verse of the song:
I once was asked how I would like to be remembered/ My answer was just to fondly be remembered/ So as we walk, we will gently sing our song/ And share the joys that forever will live on/ The falling leaves are golden now/And golden too my precious time with you/ I’ve gone to sleep but I’m still close by/ For as long as I’m remembered I will never die/.
Among those to attend today’s launch was Olympic boxer Mick Dowling who boxed over 50 times for Ireland including the 1968 and 1972 Olympic games held in Mexico City and Munich. The two-time Olympian spoke first hand of his experience of grief having lost two of his brothers in recent weeks.
Speaking today, Mick, who came from a family of sixteen, said: “In the past three weeks I’ve buried two of my brothers, John who was my older brother, and a week or so later we lost Joe who was my boxing coach. I would never have achieved anything without Joe who was a brilliant coach. Both of them were very much into traditional Irish music which came from my dad who was an accomplished accordion player who often played on RTE radio. We had a beautiful wake for Joe, and I shook my head at it and said to myself this is the way I want to be remembered when I go. It was traditional music played by his family and grandchildren and we celebrated both of their lives that night”.
Also remembered at today’s gathering was former Athletics Ireland President Nick Davis, who died this year, and Maeve Kyle, a true pioneer and one of the most iconic and inspirational athletes in Irish sport who passed away in July aged 96. As many gear up for the upcoming Marathon next month, tribute was also paid to Eamon Dolan, a long-time stalwart of the Dublin Marathon, and so many more from the running and athletics community who have passed this year.
The Remembrance Run 5K is more than a race – it’s a day of healing and connection.
Participants will experience:
- Choirs, Music, Poetry, and Song
- A Wall of Remembrance to write names and messages
- A Big Screen displaying submitted photos and tributes
- A One-Minute Silence before the start
- A theme song co-written by Frank Greally and Noel O’Grady, I’m Still Close By, inspired by Edna O’Brien’s wish to be remembered “fondly”
This year’s event is proudly supported by 123.ie and Evergreen Care.
Gavin Macklin, Managing Director of 123.ie: “We’ve seen first-hand how special this event is and are delighted to support Frank and all who make the Remembrance Run what it is.”
Eamonn Prone, CEO of Evergreen Care: “We understand the importance of community, family, and friends when a loved one passes. We’re honoured to renew our partnership with this year’s Remembrance Run.”
Proceeds from the event will support The Daily Mile, a 15-minute walk/run initiative promoted by Athletics Ireland in primary schools across Ireland.
Participants can also create a fundraising page to walk or run for their chosen charity. In 2024 over €33,000 was raised for charities close to the hearts of all those involved in the Remembrance Run 5k.
Join Us
The 14th edition of the Remembrance Run 5K supported by 123.ie and Evergreen Care takes place on Sunday, November 9th, 2025 in Phoenix Park, Dublin. This special event invites participants to come together in memory of loved ones passed, in a celebration of life, love, and remembrance.
📅 Date: Sunday, November 9th, 2025
📍 Location: Phoenix Park, Dublin
👟 Expected Participants: 5,000+
🔗 Register Here
📧 Share memories or tributes: marketing@athleticsireland.ie
🌐 More information:remembrancerun.ie
🔗Learn more about The Daily Mile HERE
🔗Learn more about 123.ie
🔗Learn more about Evergreen Care
Please contact marketing@athleticsireland.ie to arrange an interview with Remembrance Run founder Frank Greally
