@philybowden
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@philybowden Ciara Mageean, what a woman you were 🤍 At around 6:00 this morning, on the bus to the start of the NYC Marathon, I found out that Ciara had passed away. It still doesn’t feel real, and I’m not sure it will for a long time. I’m going to try my best to write something here that sums up how special Ciara was, to me and to so many, but something tells me words won’t even come close. She was the friend who was always there for me whatever I needed. The strongest, toughest competitor and athlete I’ve ever come across, and a fierce friend to anyone lucky enough to have some of her time, yet somehow she always found time for everyone. Ciara lit up every room she walked into with her infectious smile and laugh. She could talk to anyone, and was completely selfless with her time. On training mornings at the track in Stockport, she’d stop to talk and joke around with the visually impaired and disabled track users and if I ran past they’d say “is that Ciara?” and be thoroughly disappointed when it was just me. I’ll miss her advice, her laugh, the two of us being silly together. She was the first person I’d want to call when I was sad, or excited, or when I needed someone to tell me what to do. The world has lost an incredible soul, and without her there’s a big Ciara-shaped hole in my life and in the lives of so many others. But I know exactly what Ciara would say. Keep on keeping on. Make the absolute most of every opportunity and every single day we’re gifted of this life. That’s how she lived, and that’s how I want to honour her. I thought about her every step of the way around New York today. I gave it everything I had, and I hope I made you proud, Ciara. Rest easy, my friend, I miss you already 🤍
