22 Years, 6 Runners, 1 Tradition: The Fields of Athenry Stalwarts

Every St. Stephen’s Day since 2002, thousands have laced up for the Fields of Athenry 10K. Through rain, frost, floods – and even a pandemic – the race has become one of the most cherished traditions in the Irish running calendar..

Among the crowd each year, there’s a remarkable constant: six runners who have never missed a race. This December, as we prepare for the 23rd edition, we celebrate Bernie Kelly, Danny Carr, Kevin O’Dea, Martin Keane, Tomás Mac Lochlainn and Tommy Joe Whyte – the “stalwarts” who embody the spirit of the Fields.

Tomás remembers his first start a little differently than most: arriving late, paying his entry fee on the fly, and sprinting to catch the pack. Martin recalls the early morning phone call that roped him into the very first race, with just 70 people taking part. Bernie thought the idea of running on St. Stephen’s Day was mad – until she discovered the joy of Christmas lights along the route, tea and cake afterwards, and greetings from fellow runners.

Over the years, they’ve raced through frost, rain, and even ankle-deep floods. They’ve seen the event grow from dozens of runners to thousands, weathered cancellations, and even run the course unofficially during the COVID year. What keeps them coming back is simple: tradition, community, and a love of the sport. As Tomás puts it, “Every year when I’m slogging away, I ask myself, what am I doing here? And the answer is always: there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

There have been personal highlights too: Bernie’s lifetime PB of 44:20 in 2005, Kevin’s sub-40 runs in 2010 and 2012, Danny’s top-50 finish that once earned him the prized long-sleeve shirt. And of course, the famous race hats and mugs, which now serve as badges of honour in kitchens and pubs around Galway.

The Fields of Athenry 10K has grown into something much bigger than a race. It’s a festive gathering, a community tradition, and a reminder of the resilience and joy of running. And for 22 years straight, six runners have embodied that spirit – showing up, year after year, to keep the tradition alive.

When the gun goes off this December 26th, they’ll be there once again. Because for them, and for so many others, the Fields of Athenry is exactly where they’re meant to be.