Irish Independent Broadsheet
Wednesday 9 May 2012
by Ralph Riegel
Less than 48 hours after walking up the aisle, RTE sports broadcaster Jacqui Hurley will be a runaway bride as she competes in a marathon in memory of her brother.
Ms Hurley will marry Shane McMahon in her native Cork on the Saturday of the June bank holiday weekend. Two days later, she and more than 50 wedding guests will form a relay team for the Cork City Marathon.
Her younger brother Sean (25) died tragically when his car spun out of control and hit a tree in bad weather conditions in County Cork last November.
Just two days before, the champion motorcyclist had written a list of things he wanted to do before he died and among them was a marathon.
“Since Sean died, we’ve been trying to complete all of the things on his list for him,” said Ms. Hurley.
The family have already ticked competing in a duathlon and a triathlon off the list.
Sean’s other ‘must do’ challenges included becoming a world superbike champion, running a pub and operating a race track.
Ms Hurley’s marathon entry is also aimed at raising some desperately needed funding for the Irish Charity CRY, which offers support to those affected by sudden cardiac death.
She is an ambassador for the Charity.
CRY Chairman Michael Greene said the charity was “overwhelmed” by ms Hurley’s courage and support.