Cork City Marathon to pay special tribute to woman who died after last year's race

Ellen Cassidy became ill after completing the Cork City Half Marathon last June, and later died at Cork University Hospital

Mon, 18 May, 2026 - 07:00

Rachel Lysaght

More than 200 people taking part in the 2026 Cork City Marathon will run in memory of Ellen Cassidy, who died shortly after participating in the event last year.

Ms Cassidy, who was 24 years old, became ill after completing the Cork City Half Marathon last June, and later died at Cork University Hospital.

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Her family and friends remembered her as a determined individual, who was a seasoned marathon runner and an avid swimmer, having been a member of the Dolphin Swimming Club and having represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics and European Junior Championships.

Tribute to Ellen on this year's medals

This year’s event, on May 31, will pay a special tribute to Ms Cassidy, with organisers announcing earlier this year that her name will be inscribed inside a yellow heart on the finisher medals for the full marathon, half marathon, and 10km race.

More than 222 people including family members of Ms Cassidy as well as friends and colleagues, will take part in the event in her honour, with other participants urged to wear yellow on the day to further commemorate the young woman.

Ahead of the race, one of Ms Cassidy’s friends, Katie Walshe, created a GoFundMe page to raise money for several charities that were “close to Ellen’s heart”.

Charities that will receive donations include CRY Ireland, Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Pieta House, St John’s Ambulance, Focus Ireland, and Marymount Hospice.

Ms Walshe said while many of the 222-plus participants taking part in honour of Ms Cassidy have never run a marathon before, “that doesn’t matter, we are doing this together for Ellen”.

As well as being a seasoned marathon runner, Ellen Cassidy was an accomplished swimmer, and previously represented Ireland on the European stage. She is pictured here (foreground) during the women's relay at the 2024 Irish intervarsity swimming championships in Bishopstown, Cork. File picture: Larry Cummins

“We’re running for her spirit, her kindness, her energy and the way she brought people together so effortlessly,” said Ms Walshe.

“We’re running because she would have been right there with us, motivating each one of us and smiling the whole way.

“We would also love to see as many people as possible wearing yellow on the day, as a simple but powerful way to show your support and stand with us in remembering Ellen.”

At the time of print, more than €9,500 of the €20,000 target had been raised.

“Every donation, no matter how big or small means so much, not just in what it contributes, but in helping us celebrate the incredible person Ellen Cassidy was,” said Ms Walshe.

See the Irish Examiner Weekend in print or online this Saturday, when editor Vickie Maye and photographer Chani Anderson visit Ellen Cassidy's parents ahead of this year's Cork City Marathon.

For more information, or to make a donation, click on the GoFundMe page which you can also find by searching ‘Cork City Marathon 2026 In Memory of Ellen Cassidy’.

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