The late, great Listowel native Jerry Kiernan.

Fergus Dennehy

Runners in Kerry and further afield are being invited to follow in the footsteps of an Olympic legend from Kerry by taking part in the recently announced inaugural Jerry Kiernan 5km run that will take place in Listowel on Sunday, August 24.

Jerry, a Listowel native, finished ninth in the Olympic marathon in 1984 and was a two-time winner of the Dublin Marathon.

He later coached many of Ireland’s best athletes, including Ciara Mageean, who he guided to a European 1500m bronze in 2016.

In all, Jerry ran six marathons in under 2hrs 14 mins – a time only 13 other Irish men have ever achieved – and won three of them, long before the advent of “super shoes” .

In addition to his achievements on track and road, Jerry also shone over the softer ground, winning the national cross country title in 1984 and competing in seven world cross country championships, including an outstanding 26th place in Rome in 1982, finishing only 11 seconds behind the incomparable Miruts Yifter and leaving Olympic medalists Emiel Puttemans, John Treacy and Karel Lismont in his wake.

The upcoming run in Jerry’s name is being organised by Lios Tuathail AC and they are describing the event as “ a tribute run honouring the legacy of one of Ireland’s most respected distance runners and coaches” and are hoping that as many people as possible come and take part on a day that they say will be a celebration of sport, spirit and community.

The run will be a ‘fast’ 5k route through the town, finishing up in the historic town square in the heart of the town.

The run will be suitable for all levels of runners/walkers and athletes.

Keep an eye on the Lios Tuathail Facebook page for further updat