Limerick's Mary Cronin, 72, laces up for 10k road race
Mary is 72 and one of Limerick’s role models for older people.
The Croom woman chairs the Limerick Older People’s Council which seeks to empower older people to what they can do rather than allow them regret what they no longer can do.
The council is one of the key pillars of Age Friendly Limerick, a five-year strategy launched last year aimed at improving key areas of infrastructure, services, information and an overall social response to older persons.
As she heads to Moto Gordo in the Algarve, Mary said her experiences have included moments when friends had to be there to help her through dark days.
“I had the darkest of days in my own life and good friends brought me through them.
“They were able to see that something was wrong and helped me through it. There is no age barrier whatsoever to being a friend,” Mary said.
“Whatever it is we do, we have to encourage older people to get involved in things.
“That’s what we are trying to do in the Older People’s Council.
“Road running is my thing. It’s obviously not for everyone but there are any number of communities that older people can get involved in and, indeed, contribute greatly to.”
Looking ahead to this Friday’s race in Portugal, Mary said: “This is like the Olympics for me.
“I never thought I would ever compete in a European championships but here I am.
“If I can do this at 72, others can do all sorts of things at 72 or 82 or, indeed, 92.
“I’m not there to win as I’m only back in training since January but at this stage in life participation is what it’s all about.
“And that really is the message I have for other people my age and older — participate.
“Get involved: You’ll not regret it and will very quickly understand you have a part to play and will be appreciated for it,” she says.
Meanwhile, Mary Killeen, Limerick co-ordinator of Age Friendly, said: “Mary is a fantastic example for older persons.
“They have so much to offer; wisdom, life experience, and so much more. But they need to be encouraged to give that. We need to find a place for them to give that.
“That’s what Age Friendly is all about. We have a strategy that is focused on empowering older people and Mary is proof of what can be achieved with the right encouragement and the right frame of mind,” said Ms Killeen.
