Tributes have poured in after the death of a hugely popular figure in Irish athletics.
Mary Hanley sadly passed away on Wednesday morning after a short illness.
Clubs all across both Meath, where she ran for Na Fianna Athletic Club, and the country after her sudden passing.
MyRunResults.ie, a site used by sprinters and racers nationwide, said: "Mary was an incredibly warm, caring and hugely popular lady in the running Community as well as in her daily life.
"We knew Mary from attending our events over the years and we are so glad to have known her. Mary was a very talented and competitive athlete who brought so much joy to the people that she came into contact with."
Trim Athletic Club's emotional tribute on Facebook read: "Mary Hanley was one of a kind.
"A constant on the athletics scene in Meath for four decades. As a runner she was an outstanding competitor on the roads, cross country and track. She supported our club events consistently over the years as she did with clubs throughout Meath and further afield.
"When the county called for cross country teams or the national league Mary was there to line out well into her masters years and always made a telling contribution when the scores were being counted.
"Mary was a big achiever who in recent years was inspiring the youth of her beloved Na Fianna through her coaching and guidance. They couldn't learn from a better person. She had been there and done it to a very high level for many years in her own modest and unassuming manner setting great example along the way."
Meanwhile, Dunshaughlin AC said: "Mary was one of the best distance runners Meath has ever produced, and after a brilliant underage career, she went on to win 6 Meath Athletics senior cross country titles between 2001 and 2007 leading her beloved Na Fianna to 4 team titles.
"Mary went on to win numerous provincial and national honours as well as virtually every road race around and was one of the toughest but yet nicest runners on the block."
