World Masters Champion Athlete is Cork Person of the Month for June
Michael Kiely, an 80-year-old runner from Shanballymore in North Cork, is Cork Person of the Month for June in recognition of his remarkable gold medal runs at the World Masters Indoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida earlier this year.
Michael secured gold in both the over-80s 800m and 1500m events, running home with times of 3:09:35 and 6:51:00, respectively. These achievements underscore his extraordinary athletic ability, longevity and dedication.
Michael’s path to his gold medal was made possible by a truly unique training regime, indicative of his ingenuity and resourcefulness. Battling challenging weather conditions and persistent rabbit intrusions, he meticulously crafted a 400-metre track in a field near his home, churning out the daily sessions that laid the groundwork for his stateside triumphs.
A relative latecomer to athletics – only taking up running at the age of 36 – Michael boasts a history of impressive accomplishments, including further world masters titles in the 800m and 1500m achieved earlier in his career.
He credits his success to his disciplined training regimen including demanding hill workouts and intense short repetitions, complemented by a simple, yet effective, celiac-friendly diet of brazil nuts, bananas, gluten-free toast, and cheese.
Michael is also a long-time advocate for lifelong fitness: “Whether it be running, walking, cycling or swimming, any and all exercise plays a role in maintaining your health and fitness”, he said.
Speaking as he awarded Michael his Cork Person of the Month award at the Metropole Hotel, Awards Organiser Manus O’Callaghan said that Michael’s story was a profound inspiration.
“The unwavering dedication illustrated by Michael’s incredible achievements are a pure embodiment of the Cork spirit. His compelling story stands testament to the enduring power of perseverance and the endless potential we retain across all stages of life”, he said.
Michael’s name will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the Annual Gala Awards Lunch in January 2026.
