Jim McNamara passes away

pconn062

The Donoroe man passed away yesterday. A former Olympian, he was also a fantastic masters athlete. Even though I wasn't a member of Donore, a few times I was in the park Jim would have no problems letting you join in with his ladies sessions around the Munich mile.


Rest in peace.

An article from 2013 about him: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/the-paradox-of-a-running-legend-1.1401582

RacoonQueen

Jim passed away in the early hours of this morning, peacefully - following a short illness and surrounded by his loving family.
I can't type much at the moment, my heart is broken.
Rest well Gentleman Jim, it was a true, true honour to be one of your treasured girls.

Chivito550

Sad news. I obviously know he was a great runner, but despite that he looks incredibly familiar. I feel I know him from somewhere. There's a group of diehard athletics fans who travel to all the major championships. Harry Gorman and the like. I wonder was he part of that and I met him somewhere.

RIP.

walshb

I saw the man running several times in Morton Stadium over the past few years. A die hard athleticS man. Sad news this!

demfad

Very sad news. A big loss to the running scene.

Timmaay

Sad news definitely,, he gave a lifetime of service to our sport, the one positive I can take is what a way to live a life, fit healthy and active up until almost the very end. RIP.

Chivito550

Some absolutely phenomenal times here as a masters athlete:

http://jumping-the-gun.com/?p=5452

walshb

I had to wait till he got to 75 before I bettered his 5000 and 1500:o

Birdie Num Num

Timmaay wrote: »

Sad news definitely,, he gave a lifetime of service to our sport, the one positive I can take is what a way to live a life, fit healthy and active up until almost the very end. RIP.

Jim had some savage times over the years. Including running sub 32mins when he was over 50 for 10K. Clocking a world record of 31.51.40 in 1989.

Even as recent as 2012 at 72 years of age he ran 01:11:39 for the Ballycotton 10 mile.

Dubgal72

RIP Jim x

Lougheee

68 minute half-marathon as a 45 year-old really stands out for me. Rest in peace Jim.

laros

http://irishrunner.com/jim-mac-you-are-my-hero/

I have to just say something ... my wife is/was a cousin of Jims .... and the man was a gentleman.... many thanks for all the kind words.

wrstan

I did not know Jim at all, although I recognise him from various races. One particular memory is seeing him knocked off his feet a number of years ago during the Great Ireland Run in the park by a deer that made a bolt across the road. He took an incredible clatter.

pconn062

laros wrote: »

http://irishrunner.com/jim-mac-you-are-my-hero/

I have to just say something ... my wife is/was a cousin of Jims .... and the man was a gentleman.... many thanks for all the kind words.

That's a fantastic article that sums it up really. Sorry for your loss.

walshb

laros wrote: »

http://irishrunner.com/jim-mac-you-are-my-hero/

I have to just say something ... my wife is/was a cousin of Jims .... and the man was a gentleman.... many thanks for all the kind words.

I read that. Lovely article.

fletch

I never met Jim nor knew of his Olympic achievements however I will miss him. In nearly every race I'd taken part in over the past few years, I would see him at the sidelines out supporting...I actually felt like I knew him in some weird way. RIP

wrstan

fletch wrote: »

I never met Jim nor knew of his Olympic achievements however I will miss him. In nearly every race I'd taken part in over the past few years, I would see him at the sidelines out supporting...I actually felt like I knew him in some weird way. RIP

My guess is that that is a sentiment shared by a great many people who have ever had a connection with running, it is a great tribute.

davedanon

wrstan wrote: »

I did not know Jim at all, although I recognise him from various races. One particular memory is seeing him knocked off his feet a number of years ago during the Great Ireland Run in the park by a deer that made a bolt across the road. He took an incredible clatter.

About 3-4 years ago? Was that him? I was only a few yards away.


RIP. Didn't know the man personally, but knew the face.

wrstan

davedanon wrote: »

About 3-4 years ago? Was that him? I was only a few yards away.


RIP. Didn't know the man personally, but knew the face.

15th April 2012 if my memory serves me right - OK I've got logging OCD
It was just up at the top of the S-bends.

JosDel

Condolences to Jim's family.
I'll miss bumping into Jim in the park, he was a true gentleman and an outstanding athlete, RIP

JosDel

pconn062 wrote:

An article from 2013 about him:

pconn062 wrote:

The Donoroe man passed away yesterday. A former Olympian, he was also a fantastic masters athlete. Even though I wasn't a member of Donore, a few times I was in the park Jim would have no problems letting you join in with his ladies sessions around the Munich mile.

Great read

davedanon

wrstan wrote: »

15th April 2012 if my memory serves me right - OK I've got logging OCD
It was just up at the top of the S-bends.

Ah, maybe a different stampeding-deer incident then. I'm pretty sure this was up on the North road, just up a bit from the Lord's Walk, heading away from the Azoo.

The Muppet

I ran with him in Frank Mc Greallys Gratitude run in Morton Stadium last August.

Condolences to Family and Friends, Rip Jim

KielyUnusual

Huge Donore contingent down in Phoenix Park this morning, all in the famous black and white in his honour. There are rumours that he requested the funeral not to be on the Saturday so everyone could get the session in on the Munich Hills . Wouldn't be surprised if it was true. He was an ominpresent there on every Saturday morning and he will be missed. True legend of the Irish running scene.

RacoonQueen

KielyUnusual wrote: »

Huge Donore contingent down in Phoenix Park this morning, all in the famous black and white in his honour. There are rumours that he requested the funeral not to be on the Saturday so everyone could get the session in on the Munich Hills . Wouldn't be surprised if it was true. He was an ominpresent there on every Saturday morning and he will be missed. True legend of the Irish running scene.

Have never cried so much while running...lovely day in the park and in the club. Struggled to prise myself away. We did a balloon release this afternoon and like magic, they all drifted straight in the direction of the park!

glacial_pace71

There was a nice tribute from Frank McNally in yesterday's Irish Times:

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/blessed-among-women-an-irishman-s-diary-about-gentleman-jim-mcnamara-1.2569684

He'd written about Jim previously:

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/the-paradox-of-a-running-legend-1.1401582

uvox

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

(Also liked the Frank McNally pieces.)

KielyUnusual

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/jim-mcnamara-pain-is-temporary-glory-is-forever-1.2572714

Some good stories from Ian O'Riordain in the IT today. Especially like the one when he is incredulous that the doctor might think he is a jogger when he asks can he still run after being diagnosed. Obsessive to the last

Dubgal72

KielyUnusual wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/jim-mcnamara-pain-is-temporary-glory-is-forever-1.2572714

Some good stories from Ian O'Riordain in the IT today. Especially like the one when he is incredulous that the doctor might think he is a jogger when he asks can he still run after being diagnosed. Obsessive to the last

Yeah and he responded (after hearing he was Stage 4) to his daughter and brother in the consultant's room with 'he thinks i'm joking'

Dubgal72

Jim Mc's funeral today. A sad but lovely occasion. The attendance alone was tribute to Jim. It was like a who's who of Irish athletics through the ages; not only the many past and present members of Donore Harriers including Willie Dunne, Harry Gorman, Gerry Curtis, Frank Greally, Brendan O'Shea and John Travers, also Olympic and world champions Ronnie Delany, Eamonn Coghlan; Olympians past and future Catherina McKiernan and Mick Clohissey (and Willie Dunne, mentioned above), the president of Athletics Ireland, Ciarán Ó'Catháin....amongst whom the church was filled to capacity with family, friends and all who loved and admired Jim.

Jim's son Shane gave a lovely speech at the end and included in his words were some questions Jim had been asked some years ago. These questions rang a bell so when I got home I checked my files and sure enough, I had bookmarked this page for research back in January this year. Jim had agreed to take the first seat in the 'LEGENDS OF ATHLETICS: this is your Running Life' thread after he had completed his first round of treatment. Sadly Jim's illness would not allow this.

Here they are in their entirety and the link to the Athenry AC page.

IMAA gazette, 2011

http://www.athenryac.com/sites/default/files/newsfiles/2011_1_smaller.pdf

1. What shoes do you train in? -
Asics.
2. Training miles last week? - 45
3. Favourite event? - 5km
4. What do you like most about com-
peting? - The joys, the pain and
the freedom.
5. Favourite race or event? - All
road races.
6. What annoys you most at races? -
People asking me what time do you think you will do before the race.
7. What new race would you most like to take part in? - a 100km road race (might be only a dream now!).
8. Best-ever performance? - The marathon trial in Limerick for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal when I finished 2nd in 2.14.57
9. Worst-ever performance? - The 1977 Boston Marathon, and to rub it in six women passed me at 20 miles!
10. What's the strangest thing that you've seen training? - The great Willie Dunne running backwards!
11. Favourite item of gear? - The Donore singlet.
12. Who would you most enjoy beating in a sprint for the line? - Eamonn
Coghlan.
13. What was the best bit of training advice you were ever given? - Eddie Hogan, the coach to Donore Harriers for 50 years, advised me a long time ago that if I cut down on my drinking I could be one of the best (I wish I listened to him).
14. In ten years time will you still be competing? - I will be 82 then, yes with God’s help.
15. If you were told you could never compete again, how would you react? - I have been there a couple of times but running is life to me.
16. Ever been bitten by a dog? - No, but I was knocked down by one.
17. What got you started? - A few friends broke away from St Francis Boxing Club and formed a running club with the same name and asked me to join them. I was 18 then.
18. Favorite post-competition food? - Chicken with anything.
19. Most embarrassing ever competi- tion-related moment? - My shorts on back to front in an indoor track race.
20. Greatest Irish athlete of all time? - Close but it has to be Sonia O'Sullivan.

RacoonQueen

Lovely, peaceful send off today. His last visit to the Polo grounds and to his beloved clubhouse. Church packed to the rafters, as they say, a true testament to how loved he was across the generations.

Dubgal72 wrote: »

7. What new race would you most like to take part in? - a 100km road race (might be only a dream now!).
16. Ever been bitten by a dog? - No, but I was knocked down by one.

Jim always told me that he would love to run longer distances, but that it was too late now, I always told him it was never too late. He was fascinated by my, extremely poor attempts at ultra distance.

And he really didn't like my dogs. Always told me to keep them away from him.

Dubgal72

Don't tell me it was your dog knocked him over....?! :eek:

Dub13

A nice post on the Raheny Shamrock Page about him.

The club would like to offer it’s condolences to the family of Jim McNamara who died on Thursday morning last. While Jim is best known for his long association with Donore Harriers he was a member of Raheny Shamrocks from 1981 to 1984. Jim lived in Coolock from the mid 1970s to the early 1980s. During that time he regurlarly trained with the club. People must remember that during that time Donore Harriers were by far the best middle and long distance club in the country. Jim was a real benefit to all us young runners in the club. He showed us all what hard training was all about and what was needed if we were to be successful.

It is ironic in last November’s Dublin Senior Cross Country Raheny Shamrocks won the team event and Donore Harriers were second. Jim McNamara’s legacy lives on.

During his 3 years plus with the club Jim won his first International Masters Championships. In 1982 he won the European 1,500m and 5,000m titles and in 1984 he won the World 5,000m and was 3rd in the 1,500m. He was also selected as the Club Athlete of the Year in 1984. By this time he had moved back to his beloved Cabra. He rejoined Donore Harriers. We always felt we had only got him on loan. While he was with the club he was always available for selection and we won many team honours. The highlight being the 2nd place finish in the National Road Relays in 1983. No one felt any malice towards Jim when he went back to Donore but were thankful for having him as long as we did. Jim always had great affection for the club and always told me it was his second favourite club.

Irish athletics has lost one of its greatest ever athletes and one of its nicest people. He didn’t get the name of “Gentlemen Jim” for nothing. May he rest in peace.

uvox

There was a fine, emotional tribute delivered about this Gentleman at the St Patrick's Festival 5K/Lord Mayor Challenge run in Dublin today. A minute's silence was observed. A very moving - and fitting - gesture given the big community presence. Well done.