New road race to honour memory of Ashling

A four mile road race is due to take in Tullamore on Sunday, May 22 next, to honour the memory of murdered Offaly primary school teacher, Ashling Murphy.

The Ashling Murphy 4 Miler is the brainchild of her first cousin, Fergal Leonard, a member of Tullamore Harriers and an accomplished runner, and will be hosted by Offaly Athletics.

The event has been organised to mark the last run of the tragic 23-year-old teacher and musician from Cully, Blueball who was murdered on January 12 while out running along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur after finishing work in Durrow primary school, where she was a first class teacher.

Proceeds from the race will go towards the Ashling Murphy Memorial Charity, which is currently in the process of being set up by her parents, Ray and Kathleen. The couple are hoping to use monies from the charity to advance causes which were close to their daughter's heart, particularly her love of Irish music.

Fergal Leonard said Ashling’s horrific murder “touched the hearts of so many people” and the wider running community wanted to do something to remember her.

He said the running community across Offaly and further afield “wanted to do something to honour her memory”and they came up with the idea of a four mile race around Tullamore town. It will start and finish at Tullamore town centre, and a special perpetual trophy – the Ashling Murphy Perpetual Trophy – has been specially commissioned for the event.

Fergal Leonard explained that, in a departure from the tradition of previous road races organised by Offaly Athletics, the trophy will be presented to the first lady finisher of the race as a mark of respect to the memory of Ashling Murphy and all women who die violently.

While the road race is the focal point of the May 22 event, it is also planned to organise a music festival on the day of the race to honour the immense musical talent of Ashling Murphy and of her family. She regularly played music alongside her father, Ray, a long-time member of popular local band, Best Foot Forward, and her sister, Amy, who is also a very accomplished musician.

A stage will be erected in O’Connor Square and a host of musicians from both the local Comhaltas community and from further afield, will play music both before and after the race.

“It is planned to make this event one which can be enjoyed by everyone, not just those taking part in the road race,” said Fergal Leonard.

Another attraction on the day will be the presence of some very rare and powerful motorbikes owned by members of Birr-based Camcor Riders, of which Ray Murphy is a member. The group has raised thousands of euros over the years for various charities by hosting motorcycle runs across the Midlands.

The entry fee for the race is €15 with proceeds going to the Ashling Murphy Memorial Charity which is currently being established by her parents, Ray and Kathleen.

Entry is via popupraces.ie or participants can register on the day. The road race will take the format of a loop starting at Tullamore town centre and proceeding to Burlington industrial estate in Sragh, past Tullamore railway station and back into the town centre again.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishers along with a number of prizes for winners in various age categories.