More than 30,000 women took to the streets of Dublin today for the 2019 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon, the largest all-female event of its kind in the world.
The streets of the capital were filled with women running to raise money for charitable causes, achieve personal goals and enjoy a special day out with sisters, daughters, mothers, aunts and friends.
Now in its 37th year, the event features runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities completing the 10k route, which began at Fitzwilliam Place and ended on Pembroke Road.
A 94-year-old Tipperary great-grandmother was the oldest competitor again in this year’s event.
Maureen Armstrong, from Drombane, Thurles, participated in her 25th Dublin VHI Women’s Mini Marathon today.
After her run, Ms Armstrong said she was overwhelmed with the amount of best wishes she received from family, neighbours, friends and members of the public.
The great-grandmother, who runs all her long-distance races to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society, ran the 10km with her daughters, Martina and Marian.
She said: “I like raising funds for the Society. So many people have cancer, young and old, and it’s great to be able to help them.”
Since its inception the women of the event have raised over €217 million for over 700 charities, including the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, the ISPCC Childline, the Samaritans and many others.
Meanwhile, hundreds of the participating women joined together to raise €100,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, which will be used for dedicated cystic fibrosis staff in hospitals and patient support grants. This year’s mini marathon was won by Aoibhe Richardson, from Kilkenny, with a time of 00:34:35. The 22-year-old student is studying in the US, and was running for Portland AC., but is home for the summer. Catherina Mullen from Metro/St. Brigid’s A.C. was second across the finish line with a time of 00:35:01, and Breege Connolly from City of Derry A.C. Spartans secured third place in 00:35:14.
Sinead Kane from Le Cheile A.C. won the Visually Impaired Category in a time of 00:44:29.
Speaking at the race, Kathy Endersen, chief executive of the Women’s Mini Marathon, congratulated the thousands of women who took part in the exciting event.
She said: “The theme for our campaign this year is #WomenwithImpact, and every single woman who took part truly embodies this theme, whether they were making an impact by raising funds for a cause close to their heart or by achieving their personal fitness goals.
“This event couldn’t happen without the support of the hundreds of volunteers who so generously give their time to help on the day, as well as the many community groups and charities who continue to support our event year after year.”
Along with the tens of thousands of women who take part in the run, many people work behind the scenes year-round to ensure the event is a success for everyone.
Preparations for the big day begin every year in September, while more than 900 volunteers from sports clubs and scouting groups around the country joined organisers today to help out.
VHI announced today that they have extended their partnership with the Women's Mini Marathon for a further two years.
Meanwhile, in Cork, over 8,000 people took to the city’s streets for the 2019 Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon and Half Marathon.
Many of the runners also took part in the Team Relay and while the younger athletes showed off in the Youth Challenge.
Dundalk marathon man Gary O’Hanlon, running for Clonliffe Harriers AC, retained his Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon title, in the end winning with a time of 02:21:42, four minutes ahead of runner-up Tim O’Donoghue, from East Cork AC who finished in 02:25:52.
Angela McCann, from Clonmel AC, crossed the line for her hat trick - including wins from 2011, 2012 and now 2019 - in a time of 3:02:53. Angela took a strong lead right from the start and cruised home five minutes and seconds ahead of second place winner Nollaig O’Neill, from Leevale AC, who crossed the line in 3:07:56.
After the run, Ms McCann said: “I never thought I would be back here again, to run it, let alone to win it! To win it now is unreal, I’m just so delighted. It’s better than the first two times to be honest.”
