H

HE LACED on his running shoes for his very first marathon in March 2014 and just under three years later Kerry man Conor Cusack has distinguished himself at some of the world’s most famous athletic events.

Tralee native Conor, who works in the Department of Arts in Killarney, completed his 50th medal in Clonakilty in December. “My sister Catherine, who lives in the UK, is also a runner, and I have her to thank for putting the idea of running into my head,” Conor told Killarney Advertiser.

While completing the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon, Conor met Boston Marathon icons Bobbi Gibb, Amby Burfoot and Adrianne Haslett. “I’m a proud member of the Born to Run marathon club in Tralee and Marathon Club Ireland who have helped me immeasurably to get to where I am today,” said Conor.

“I am now a running mentor to a ‘Couch to 42’ training group who will complete their first marathon in Tralee next March.”
Conor’s dazzling medal comes from across the globe. “I’ve run in 15 different countries: Ireland, UK, Portugal, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, USA, Morocco, Turkey, Netherlands, Sweden, Malta, South Africa and Poland,” he said.

Among the highlights of his running career to date are the 56k Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in Cape Town, South Africa.

Conor also ran with the famous Team Hoyt, from Boston, when they were in Courtmacsherry, west Cork, in 2015. “Dick Hoyt has pushed his son Rick in over 1,000 races including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (six of them being Ironman competitions),” said Conor. They use a specially designed “Hoyt Running Chair” which is now used by assisted running families all around the world. “It was an honour to push Rick at the Courtmacsherry race.”

Conor added: “I have made so many lifelong friends both in Ireland and abroad through running, it has truly been a life-changer.”
The Kerry runner also has medals from the Berlin and Paris marathons as well as from the 60k Ultra Marathon in Central Park, New York, and the 100k Tralee Ultra Marathon. “I will be competing in two of the marathon ‘majors’, Boston and Chicago, this year,” he added.