The town of Tralee, Co. Kerry, is reeling from the loss of Anila Mucaj, a 48-year-aged mother of two, who died following a road accident while jogging on Sunday, March 2nd. Mucaj was struck by an SUV driven by a man in his 80s along a popular route between Tralee and the Blennerville Bridge.

A Beloved Member of the Running Community

Mucaj, originally from Albania, had made Tralee her home for many years. She was a dedicated member of the ‘Born to Run’ (BTR) club and a regular participant in Tralee Park Run, completing 116 of 117 parkruns with the group. Her presence will be deeply missed by her fellow runners.

“Anila was a loyal Tralee parkrunner who ran 116 of her 117 parkruns with us. We will miss her at our parkrun every Saturday morning.”

Tralee Park Run

The Accident and Aftermath

Emergency services responded to the scene, and Mucaj was transported to University Hospital Kerry, where she was pronounced dead. Her two running companions sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and the driver of the SUV was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening conditions. Authorities are investigating the possibility that the driver experienced a medical incident during the accident.

Community Support and Fundraising

Following the tragedy, friends and members of the running community rallied to support Mucaj’s family, including her husband, Fatmir, and their two sons, Orgito and Ben. A fundraiser, organized by Rose Brosnan of the BTR club, has raised nearly €23,000 towards a goal of €24,000 to help cover funeral expenses and repatriation costs to Albania.

“On Sunday, March 2, our hearts were shattered when Anila, a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and a friend to all, was tragically taken from us in a devastating accident while out for her usual Sunday morning run with friends.”

Rose Brosnan, Born To Run

Brosnan remembered Mucaj as initially quiet and shy when she first joined the club, but quickly becoming known for her genuine warmth and care for others.

FAQ

• What happened to Anila Mucaj? Anila Mucaj tragically died after being struck by an SUV while jogging in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
• Where was Anila Mucaj from? Anila Mucaj was originally from Albania.
• How can I support Anila Mucaj’s family? You can contribute to the fundraiser organized by her friends at GoFundMe.