Family of chef who died climbing Kilimanjaro donates trophies to Cork City Marathon

James O’Connor had completed several marathons and was always excited to participate in the event in his native Cork city

Jame's wife Grace and children Christopher, 16, Lilly, 12, and James, eight, said they wanted to do something special to celebrate his life and his passion for running. Pictures: Darragh Kane

The family of a man who died climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has donated two trophies in his honour to the organisers of the Cork city marathon.

Father of three, James O’Connor, a popular chef who worked at the legendary Tony’s Bistro on Cork’s North Main St, was climbing Africa’s highest peak in Tanzania last December to mark his 40th birthday when he suffered a suspected heart attack brought on by altitude sickness just 100m from the summit and died.