Born in Croom in 1933, he changed his name from Cregan to Hogan after moving to England and ran for Ireland in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. There, he closely tracked eventual winner Abebe Bikila for more than 20 miles in the marathon before being forced to drop out in the closing stages due to severe dehydration.
In 1966, he went on to win a European Marathon title – this time wearing a British singlet. A few years ago a book was published on his life titled ‘The Irishman who ran for England’.
Earlier this summer, former world record holder Dave Bedford, a life-long friend of Jim’s, visited him at the Maria Goretti Nursing Home in Kilmallock where he spent his final days.
....from John Walshe
More info about his career....
Jim Cregan breaks Irish record, Limerick Leader 18/5/1957
The man born Jim Cregan, The Dawn (Bruff History Journal), no. 2, Oct. 1975
This sporting life on other side of channel, Limerick Leader 12/4/2008
The remarkable story of Limerick athlete Jim Hogan, Limerick Post 12/4/2008
The Irish man who ran for England, Limerick Post 27/6/2009
Jim Hogan - A personal appreciation, Athenry AC website
