Teenage cancer victim Eoghan Homan will be remembered during Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club Juniors Running Club’s 2023 Dash Series season opener to be held in his honour.

The local athletics club will host the Dash at Dark for Eoghan showcasing some of the island’s brightest future prospects that will compete in various age groups at Flora Duffy Stadium on April 21 (6pm).

Eoghan died at age 16 on February 23 at Boston Children’s Hospital following a 14-month battle against a rare and aggressive paediatric cancer, known as Ewing’s sarcoma, which affects just two children in a million.

“Eoghan was a dedicated MAAC Junior and DNA athlete,” Rose-Anna Hoey, the co-race director, told The Royal Gazette.

“He was a national champion and a much treasured and admired member of our club who truly felt the joy of running.

“Eoghan sadly lost his 14-month battle with Ewing’s sarcoma. It’s a big loss, first to his parents Colm and Niamh and sister Aisling.

“They are a very close-knit family and Colm himself is very involved in the Mid Atlantic Athletic Club and is actually raising money by running the Boston Marathon for Boston’s Children’s Cancer Charity.”

The late Somersfield Academy student possessed enormous potential having won the Middle School Boys’ Front Street Mile as well as age group honours competing in the National Cross-Country Championship, Inter-School Sports and a string of road races.

“I think a lot of the children were inspired by how dedicated Eoghan was to running and how much he saw the joy in running,”

Hoey added. “Victoria Fiddick always talks about the smile he had on his face and the glimmer in his eye when he ran.

“He always tried his best and I think that was a real inspiration to all the children.”Eoghan’s talents extended beyond running as he also played football with Vasco da Gama.

He was also a big fan of English Premier League side Liverpool, Formula One car racing and NBA team Boston Celtics.

Donations and proceeds from the sale of treats at the upcoming Dash at Dark for Eoghan will go to charities Pals Bermuda and Boston Children’s Hospital Miles for Miracles campaign in his memory.

“His parents and sister would greatly appreciate donations in Eoghan’s memory to two charities, Pals Bermuda and Boston Children’s Hospital Miles for Miracles campaign,” Hoey said.

“These charities supported Eoghan and his family throughout his cancer journey.

“Donations can be made at the race checkout and further fundraising will be done on the night of the event.

“We will be selling ice creams kindly donated by Butterfield and Vallis to raise money for Pals Cancer charity here in Bermuda.”

Runners aged 4 and 5 will run one lap, six and seven-year-olds two laps, eight to nine-year-olds three laps and ten and 11-year-olds will compete on a course of over a mile.

“It’s a very prestigious race, one of the biggest on the MAAC calendar and we hope to see all of our strong athletes out,” Hoey added. “Traditionally, this has been a three-race series and that will be the case this year.

“After the first event, Dash at Dark for Eoghan, next Friday, we will have the Dash at Dusk in June and then the Dash at Sunset in September.

“This is just an opportunity for children to try out a race in a safe and fun environment and very much about participating and trying your best.

“There will be plenty of people at the track to cheer them, T-shirts and medals for all participants, and prizes available for the top three athletes in each age category.”