An Cosantóir

32 Paddy Murphy was always destined for an Army life. He was born in the Curragh Camp to an Army officer father (also called Paddy) some 82 years ago, so his fate was literally sealed from birth. But when Comdt Paddy Murphy retired from the Army after 31 years' service, he left more than a glittering career behind him: he gave us the annual An Cosantoir 10K race as a lasting legacy. Remarkably, that event celebrates its 40th anniversary this October, and Paddy couldn't be prouder of the venture he founded: "I am absolutely chuffed and delighted because right from the start I wanted it to be something that would continue long after I was gone from the Army." Anyone who knows him will not be in any way surprised at Paddy's tenacity and dedication to a cause. Even after he left the Army, he spent 14 years as Chief Executive of the Irish Heart Foundation, pursuing his lifelong interest in health and fitness. It was in 1956 that Paddy joined the Army as a Cadet, stationed in the Curragh where he could indulge his passion for sport, proving adept at both hurling and football for Army teams and eventually going on to represent Dublin at minor level. "At that time it was a part of the criteria that you were interested in physical activity", Paddy recalls, "Indeed it was pre-requisite for joining the Army." Years later, when stationed in McKee Barracks in Dublin, he began jogging around the nearby Phoenix Park at lunchtime. "When I stopped playing sport I started running to keep fit. I would go out at lunchtime every day, tog off, head out into the Phoenix Park and do 10K around the Park. It was great because it gave you time to think and I was able to set my own times." And it was on those daily runs that the germ of an idea popped into Paddy's head. "I was always very conscious of the Esprit de Corps and camaraderie of the Army and I wanted to harness that in something that involved all ranks and sections of the Defence Forces", he says. He adds: "I felt jogging – which was beginning to be very popular at that time – was something that could embrace all ranks and ages and different levels of fitness. One of my main objectives was to bring everyone together in something that would be both competitive and fun." "However, I didn't want it to be a one-off event or simply a Paddy Murphy idea, I wanted sustainability, something that would last", he explains, "So I approached An Cosantoir, as I knew it would be around for ever. Thankfully they were all for it and the An Cosantoir 10K was born." AN COSANTOIR – COMDT PADDY MURPHY (RETD) By Tony O'Brien AN COSANTOIR – CMT PADDY MURPHY (RETD) What he didn't know, of course, was how the idea would go down with his comrades in the Army and the other services. "I didn't know how it was going to turn out, but I was flabbergasted at that first run when we had about 250 participants! All branches of the Defence Forces bought in to the idea. I was so excited when I saw the different vehicles from all the services in the yard at McKee Barracks." That first An Cosantoir 10K took place on Wednesday, October 15th, 1980. Coincidentally, at the time of the petrol drivers' strike – something that would later play an influential part in Paddy's future career move. The event became so successful with 1,000 plus participants that Army HQ took an interest. "They bought into the idea and gave it their full support which was very encouraging," says Paddy. Even a posting to the Lebanon in 1983 could not stop Paddy. "I started a 10K there and we had a couple of hundred people taking part," he recalls with fondness. As the event celebrates a remarkable 40th anniversary why does Paddy think it has lasted so long and retained its popularity? "One of the main reasons, I believe, is the link with An Cosantoir, that gave it a standing which was so important", recalls Paddy adding that he was flattered when some years later the Army would acknowledge his brilliant initiative with a special presentation. But Paddy was not about to rest on his laurels when he retired from the Army in 1987. "The Army made me what I am, whatever I have achieved in life it is thanks to the training I got. It also made me realise I could do other things", says Paddy. The petrol drivers' strike of the early 1980s played a critical role in Paddy's thinking. "We were suddenly called up to help out and within a

• Cover