Analog Devices Cork City Marathon 2026 Award Winners Announced
14/05/2026
The Analog Devices Cork City Marathon has announced the recipients of its 2026 special recognition awards, with the Lord Mayor’s Prize awarded to Philip Hayes, the inaugural Ellen Cassidy Spirit of Running Award presented to Kate Conroy, and the inaugural Cork City Council Women’s Caucus SheRACES Runner of the Year Award going to Niamh Byrne.
The annual awards celebrate individuals whose contribution to running and community life in Cork reflects the spirit of the event both on and off the course, highlighting stories of resilience, inclusion, advocacy and community connection.
This year’s Lord Mayor’s Prize will be presented to Philip Hayes, who is taking part in the Analog Devices Cork City Marathon as part of a fundraising effort for Down Syndrome Centre Cork, a parent-led charity supporting close to 200 families across Cork and Munster.
Philip and his wife Danielle are parents to three children: twin girls Chloe and Sophia, who both have Down Syndrome, and their son Corey. Organisers said the award recognises not simply Philip’s marathon challenge, but the commitment, positivity and perseverance he demonstrates every day as a parent and advocate.
Balancing family life, work and marathon training while raising twin girls with additional needs requires a huge level of dedication, and organisers said Philip’s decision to use the marathon as a platform to raise awareness and give back to a community closely connected to his family made him a deserving recipient of this year’s honour.
The inaugural Ellen Cassidy Spirit of Running Award, established in memory of Ellen Cassidy, will be presented to Kate Conroy, founder of EveryRun Club Cork, in recognition of the welcoming and inclusive running community she has helped create. What began as a local run club has grown into a supportive social outlet for runners of all abilities and backgrounds, with members crediting the group not only with helping them become more active, but also more confident and connected within their local community.
Organisers said Kate’s approach has always centred around encouragement rather than competition, creating an environment where people feel comfortable taking part regardless of pace or experience. Particular recognition was also given to the sense of safety and reassurance the group offers women who may feel hesitant about running alone, especially during darker evenings and winter months.
The club has brought together runners from many different nationalities and backgrounds, helping forge friendships and connections through a shared love of running.
The inaugural Analog Devices Cork City Council Women’s Caucus SheRACES Runner of the Year Award will be presented to Niamh Byrne, co-founder of United by Miles, a community initiative supporting people in addiction recovery through running and structured group activity.
The initiative grew from personal loss. Niamh’s brother Sean passed away just before Christmas 2024 following a struggle with addiction. In the months that followed, Niamh and her mother Frankie began volunteering at the recovery centre in Blarney where Sean had previously received support, initially launching a Couch-to-5K programme for residents alongside friends Aine and Graham.
The programme quickly gained momentum. After learning about the group’s work, Cork City Marathon supported the initiative with sponsored entries for the 2025 10K and half marathon events, while participants adopted the name United by Miles and began training and racing together as a team.
Around twenty residents went on to complete organised races, many for the first time, with the initiative continuing to grow through local race participation, weekly Ballincollig Parkruns and wider fundraising efforts, including the development of a gym space within the centre.
Organisers described United by Miles as a powerful example of how running and community can help create structure, confidence and connection, with Niamh’s leadership helping turn a grassroots idea into something with a lasting impact.
The awards form part of the wider celebrations surrounding the 2026 Analog Devices Cork City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, May 31, and will once again see thousands of participants take to the streets of Cork across the marathon, half marathon and 10K events.
For more information see www.corkcitymarathon.ie