Louth man runs 100th marathon

Dr. Seán McCormack grew up in Ravensdale and is the son of the late Dr. John McCormack who was the local "Dispensary" doctor in the Ravensdale, Bellurgan, Faughart, Jenkinstown and Lordship areas for many years.

Seán will run his 100th marathon distance on Saturday 8th June along with his son, Steven. Their route will take them from Kentstown, Co. Meath to Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan following the N2 through Slane, Cullen and Ardee and from there through Tallanstown and Louth Village.

Seán (61), who is a GP in Abergele, North Wales ran his first marathon in 1998 aged 35 raising funds for the RNLI. He has progressed to representing his adopted country, Wales, at International level ultra running.

Over the years Seán has run on behalf of many charities but the charity closest to his heart is Temple Street Children's Hospital.

On October 28th 2017 Seán's niece Eileen Ingman and her husband Aled, who live in Kentstown, lost their eldest son Hari to meningitis.

The utter devastation of losing their son and the kindness and support of the wonderful staff at Temple Street eventually led to the formation of Team Hari.

Hari’s 1st anniversary in October 2018 would coincide with the Dublin marathon, so Seán, along with Eileen and Aled, helped organise a team to run the Dublin marathon in Hari’s memory and Team Hari was born.

On Hari’s first anniversary in 2018, 22 runners including Hari’s dad, Aled, ran the Dublin marathon in his memory.

This was Seán's 84th marathon, and running for Team Hari reignited his passion for running marathons.

Majella, Seán's wife, felt a particular special bond with Hari, whom she was adamant watched over and protected her throughout a long illness.

Over the next few years, at Majella’s insistence Seán and Steven continued to run marathons for Team Hari, raising money for various charities.

Team Hari keeps the memory of Eileen and Aled's beloved son alive and comprises family and friends of Eileen and Aled along with their two other sons Noa and Aron.

Team Hari has raised funds for many charities including First Light, ACT for Meningitis and the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Hari's grandad James (Jim) McCormack and his son Dara are members of the Irish 66ers - a group of bike lovers who take part in the "Temple Street Challenge" every 2 years.

They ride their Harleys along Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, Los Angeles - 2,448 miles over a period of 12 days. Each participant raises at least €10,000 for Temple Street. In 2022 the group raised €412,000 which was used to purchase essential equipment for Temple Street.

Seán lost his wife Majella in late 2021. Majella, always conscious of her close bond with Hari had suggested that Seán dedicate special marathon runs to Team Hari to raise funds for James and Dara and their Temple Street Challenge, and so "Majella's Memorial Marathons for Hari" was set up.

The first took place on Hari's birthday, 9th June 2023 with a run from Majella’s resting place in Inniskeen to Hari's resting place in Kentstown.

There followed the Dingle Marathon, Dublin Marathon, a marathon run around Inniskeen, Belfast marathon and will culminate with Seán's 100th marathon run from Hari in Kentstown to Majella in Inniskeen on Saturday 8th June.

If you spot Seán and Steven and the others who will join them along the way please give them a cheer and a clap. If you wish to donate to the cause visit www.justgiving.com/MMMforH