Kieran, 8, finishes marathon in memory of his father

The recent death of his dad gave 8-year-old Kieran Thomas all the impetus he needed to carry him across the finish line and into the waiting arms of his mother at yesterday’s Cork City Marathon.

Less than a month ago, Sarah was planning to bring Kieran to the race early to cheer on his dad Leon, saving their biggest roar for when he crossed the finishing line.

Instead, Sarah found herself cheering her son after her husband, 33-year-old Leon Thomas, a fit athlete and father of three, died as a result of sudden adult death syndrome, a condition that kills 100 people under the age of 35 in Ireland a year.

Leon, from Donnybrook in Douglas, outside Cork City, had been due to take part in the marathon, wearing jersey C6562 in support of the Simon Community charity. On the back was added: “No 1 Dad — Leon.”

Instead, Kieran wore the oversized jersey, and ran the last half mile of the marathon, crossing the finishing line to the outstretched arms of his mother, who placed around his neck a medal she made for him for the occasion. Sarah, who is pregnant, wept as she hugged her son.

She was too upset to comment yesterday but a family friend witnessed the moving moment as mother and son embraced.

“He wanted to do it,” said the friend. “He wanted this to be his way of remembering his dad. He did the last section of the marathon to make Leon proud of him.”

Kieran was one of a team of five runners who between them ran sections of the marathon in memory of more than one man.

Their captain, Pamela Morrissey, explained that originally, the team was running in memory of her brother, Thomas “Mossey” Morrissey, who passed away a year ago. Leon and Thomas were great friends. Thomas also died suddenly and Pamela described it as the “adult version of a cot death”.

“Leon had been training with us for today’s race,” said Pamela. “He had a heart condition which he knew about and was thinking about getting a pacemaker but died before he did.

“Then Kieran decided to run. He joined in around Shandon St and ran to the finish line on St Patrick’s St. He was great, he’s a trooper. He tore up the road. The MC called his name as he crossed the finishing line and announced that he’d run in memory of his dad. The Lord Mayor gave him a medal. He was absolutely chuffed.”

Thousands of runners took part in marathons in Cork and Dublin, highlighting the work of dozens of charities.