Isaac to take part in Dublin Marathon in memory of his brother Archie
Isaac Naughton will take part in the Dublin Marathon this weekend in memory of his brother Archie who passed away last July after battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Archie previously participated in the Dublin Marathon as an assisted runner on three occasions and Isaac will take his place in the marathon with Team Archie.
Assisted runners start the marathon before the elite runners and complete 26.2 miles, the same as their fellow runners.
Archie and Isaac's mother Paula Naughton said: “Archie became very well-known in the running community. He described it as 'an exhilarating experience. They (the runners) gave Archie legs and they're going to do the same for Isaac this year.”
According to Paula, the involvement of assisted runners with health issues such as DMD which is a catastrophic muscle wasting disease reminds athletes that they have legs that work. “It's a reminder to all of us not to take anything for granted.”
Speaking ahead of the marathon, runner Sinead Gannon said: "Isaac has been training hard through the streets and country roads of Roscommon and having the chats and banter with Team Archie."
Sinead added: “Team Archie and Archie had always thought we would do another Dublin City Marathon (DCM) together but sadly suddenly three months ago we lost our leading shining light and superstar to the devastating disease Duchenne.
“When Archie began to feel unwell, Archie suggested that Isaac complete DCM with Team Archie this year. Isaac is completing DCM this year in memory of his most heroic and amazing elder brother Archie assisted by Team Archie. Isaac has been training hard the last number of weeks and has shown amazing courage and determination in his training to complete DCM.
“Archie's last DCM race number was 216. Archie died at just 16. Mile 16 will be for Archie. We urge as many people that knew Archie to get to mile 16 and the finish line of DCM. Wear orange in support of Isaac in Archie's memory,” concluded Sinead.
Another runner taking part in the marathon with Team Archie, Tonya Hand said: “In 2017 Dublin City Marathon and the nation met Team Archie and what an experience that was, I along with some incredible runners were so privileged to be apart of Archie’s marathon journey.
Tonya continued: “On the 7th of July last our world froze and our hearts broke into a million pieces, never to be the same again and we gained a guardian angel. Archie always looked out for everyone, he could see when we were struggling and he would pick us up with a smile, a sweet, a song or a joke. Even towards the end Archie’s concern was for his brothers. His final wishes were that his parents and the Join Our Boys family wouldn't give up, that we would all carry on to find medicine so that George and Isaac wouldn't have to go through this. Life can be so cruel, Archie was only 16, wise beyond his years. He had so much more love and inspiration to give, not a day goes by that we don't think of our rockstar.”
“I along with the wider Team Archie and Join Our Boys family will be running 2022 Irish Life Dublin Marathon in honour of our amazing Archie, who no doubt will be watching over us all and keeping us safe, I am asking all I know to please spread awareness and donate what they can to Join Our Boys Trust we need to keep going for Archie for his final wishes, for George & Isaac and for all children with Duchenne.”
The Irish Life Dublin Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 30.
The Join Our Boys Trust raises funds to cover the ongoing running costs of the Naughtons' property as well as providing specialist care to George, and Isaac, who are both wheelchair users.
It will also support ongoing research to find a cure of DMD disease, the ultimate goal of the Trust.
For more information on the Join Our Boys Trust visit www.joinourboys.org