Lurgan resident Patsy Donnelly (74) successfully completed the Tokyo Marathon in March 2025 – his final marathon in memory of his beloved son Ciaran – raising an impressive £12,238 for Southern Area Hospice.
His dedication earned him the coveted Six Star Major Marathon Medal. Remarkably, Patsy achieved this milestone just one week before his 74th birthday, making it his 24th marathon!
Patsy’s marathon journey began in 1994 and spanned over 15 years, during which he completed 20 marathons across Europe and the USA, all while supporting
various charitable causes. In 2010, he ran the New York Marathon once again — this time alongside his daughter Maria, niece Maebh, and neighbour Patrick.
However, a serious back injury resulting from a road traffic accident shortly after put a halt to his running for several years.
Reflecting on his motivation, Patsy shared: “In 2014, we tragically lost our 23-year-old son, Ciarán, in a road traffic accident.
“To commemorate what would have been his 30th birthday in 2021, my daughter Paula, son-in-law Neil, friend Nigel, and I completed the Berlin Marathon, raising funds for Rory Best’s Cancer Fund for Children.”
In 2022, Patsy joined St. Peter’s Athletic Club in Lurgan, where he learned from Dwyer O’Connor about the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Having already completed four of these prestigious races, he was determined to conquer the final two — London and Tokyo.
Gaining entry to these events is highly competitive, but his fundraising efforts for Southern Area Hospice secured his spot in the 2023 London Marathon, which he successfully completed.
In 2024, Patsy and his friend Patrick took on the Tokyo Marathon once again, raising funds for Southern Area Hospice.
Unfortunately, due to food poisoning and a knee injury, he was unable to finish the race. However, his 2025 Tokyo Marathon finish marks his final marathon — a poignant tribute to the memory of his beloved son, Ciarán.
To date, Patsy has raised nearly £22,000 for Southern Area Hospice. He was recently photographed presenting another £12,238 to Hospice Fundraising Officer
James McCaffrey.
James said: “We were all rooting for Patsy this year, hoping he would get his big medal after what happened last year. His daughter Maria texted me on the morning of the marathon saying, ‘He did it.’ We are so grateful for his continued support of our Hospice.”
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