THE PARENTS OF a young woman who died not long after she reached the finish line in the Cork City Marathon last year took part in the event today in her memory.
Ellen Cassidy (24) of Carhoo, Old Mallow Road in Co Cork became ill shortly after she completed the half-marathon on 1 June 2025. She passed away at Cork University Hospital.
Her parents Tom and Violet held hands and raised them aloft as they crossed the finish line in the half-marathon today.
More than 200 of Ellen’s family and friends had come together to run and walk this year’s half-marathon and 10K events.
Twenty-four yellow balloons were released in memory of Ellen ahead of the half-marathon start and a memorial bench has also been installed along the Marina Promenade in Cork city.
Ellen was remembered at a special mass for marathon runners at St Peter and Paul’s Church in Cork this morning and her family and friends were in attendance.
Ellen’s name was etched inside a yellow heart on all the 2026 finisher medals. Ellen Cassidy Perpetual Cups were awarded for the Half Marathon, while an inaugural Ellen Cassidy Spirit of Running Award has also been established.
Her parents Tom and Violet say that the tributes being shown to Ellen mean the world to them following their loss.
“It ensures that Ellen’s spirit will remain part of this special event and the city she loved.”
Eamon Hayes, race director, said that the response from the running community has been “incredibly moving”.
Ellen was an accomplished swimmer who represented Dolphin Swimming Club, UCC, Munster and Ireland and was also a talented pianist.
Her friend Katie Walshe said that Ellen loved running and the camaraderie of training.
“It was never just about the distance for Ellen it was about taking part, the fun, the laughter, the encouragement and being surrounded by the people she cared about most.”
Her family and friends have set up a charity fundraiser in her honour, which has raised over €35,000 to date.
The money will be split between CRY Ireland, Down Syndrome Cork – Field of Dreams, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Pieta House, St John’s Ambulance, Focus Ireland and Marymount Hospice.
Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/ed7f409af
Meanwhile, Melissah Gibson and Stephen McAuley took home first place in the Analog Devices Cork City Marathon today.
More than 12,300 people participated in the marathon, half-marathon and 10K events.
An estimated 25,000 spectators lined the streets of Cork to cheer on runners, walkers and wheelchair users.
A total of 3,000 participants completed the full marathon, while 5,000 took part in the half-marathon and 4,300 competed in the 10K.
McAuley claimed victory in the men’s marathon in a time of 2:22:42, while Gibson secured the women’s title in 2:40:41, adding the Cork crown to her recent victory at the Edinburgh Marathon.
Second place in the men’s marathon went to Chris Jeuken of Derg AC in 2:24:20, followed by Wayne Waldron in 2:26:22. In the women’s race, Andrea Aza Villamor of Glanmire A.C. finished second in 2:48:05, with April Quinn of Togher AC taking third in 2:56:01.
This year’s event also hosted the 2026 Half Marathon National Championships, with Cork athlete Ryan Creech of Leevale AC claiming the men’s title in front of a home crowd in 1:04:51.
Heather Murphy of St Michael’s AC won the women’s championship in 1:15:11.