Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
www.nimra.org.uk

 

Tom Donnelly

Sat 5 May 2007 - Ian Taylor

The mountain running community has been shocked to learn of the death of our fellow athlete, Tom Donnelly.  Tom started running rather late in life but brought the enthusiasm of a young person to his running and to everything else he did.  While a stalwart of Lunchtime Legends Tom was a friend to all, every ready with words of encouragement - but more than that, if you mentioned a need for advice, gear or something else, Tom would be round to your house with what you needed the next day.

Tom suited Lunchtime Legends, outwardly a fun group, but taking their fun and the training for it, very seriously.  Tom could regularly be seen along the Stranmillis Embankment at lunchtimes and competed in a variety of events, most recently the first Hill & Dale race this year.  He also took to triathlons, famously winning his age category in the Alcatraz event - not because of the speed of his swimming but by a very careful choice of route to make maximum use of the strong current.

A fuller tribute is available on the Lunchtime Legends web site

http://www.lunchtimelegends.com/

and also on his former triathlon club site

http://www.otcbelfast.com/

Our sympathy goes to his son Tom and daughter Angela.  His funeral is at 12 noon, Tuesday from St Brigids, Malone Road, Belfast.