A RECORD-breaking marathon runner - and father of musicians Brian and Bap Kennedy - has been remembered as a man who embodied everything that was good about his sport.
James Kennedy (85), died peacefully on Saturday at the Royal Victoria Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Married to Lily, the couple had six children including singers Martin and Brian Kennedy. Martin, who was known Bap, passed away in November 2016 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The 54-year-old was a well known singer/songwriter and musician. His brother, Brian is also a well known singer.
Mr Kennedy, who was the founder of Beechmount Harriers athletics club, lived at Our Lady's Care Home on the Falls Road in west Belfast, along with his wife, Lily.
Friends last night paid tribute.
Malcolm McCausland, track and field columnist with The Irish News, described Mr Kennedy as "the runners’ runner".
"Running ran through him like Portrush through a stick of rock," he said.
"He was a pioneer of the marathon locally, a Northern Ireland masters record holder at the distance, a successful coach, a founding member of the Beechmount Harriers club.
"He embodied everything that was good about our sport. Away from athletics, he was a family man, the loving husband of wife Lily and the doting father of six children, Martin (Bap), Marian, Jimmy, Brian, Stuart and Paul. Unfortunately, Jim is gone but I’ve no doubt his legacy will live on for a long time."
Athletics coach Eamonn Christie also paid tribute.
"I first met Jim in September 1981 when I joined Beechmount Harriers that was the start of a great friendship, as a coach and mentor and great friend. Jim taught me everything that I apply to my coaching model," Mr Christie said.
