Racers have smiles to run
MORE than 30,000 runners lapped up the electric atmosphere of the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon yesterday amid sweltering heat.
Lizzie Lee, from Cork’s Leevale Athletic Club, took home the gold in the ten-kilometre race in Dublin, reaching the finish line in 34 minutes and 18 seconds.
Those taking part included Dancing With The Stars host Amanda Byram, actress Aoibhín Garrihy and RTÉ’s Evanne Ní Chuilinn.
Ms Byram said the link between good physical health and mental health is vital ‘There is a lot expected of women. We’ve got a lot of pressures to be the best mum and the best wife, the best sister and daughter and the best career women, so trying to juggle all of that is very difficult, but we tend to do it because we are multi-taskers and that can affect us mentally,’ she said.
It was an emotional day for those who were raising funds for charities that have had a personal impact on them.
Sisters Gillian Clarke and Louise McInerney were running to raise money for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association after their mother was diagnosed with the condition last year. ‘It means more when you’re doing it for someone close to your heart,’ said Ms McInerney.
Wicklow man Mark Johnston donned a wedding dress, false eyelashes and lipstick for Arklow Cancer Support.
The charity helped him and his wife Darina during her cancer recovery. He said: ‘The least we can do is a bit of fundraising for them.’
Meanwhile, around 8,500 runners took part in the Cork City Marathon yesterday. Dubliner Gary O’Hanlon won the 26 mile race with a time of 2 hours 21 minutes. The first woman past the line was Zola Flynn, from Calry Athletic Club in Sligo.