Dundalk grandmother joins thousands at mini-marathon
AS she took her first step on the 2017 VHI Ladies Mini-marathon in Dublin last week, Dundalk grandmother Joan Brady joined an elite crew of women who this year celebrated 35 years taking part in the major national event.
‘ There was a lovely meeting of those of us who had done the 35 years at the start of the race, and it was a lovely atmosphere of woman to woman, with the thousands of others who were there,’ said Joan.
‘I actually had a big ‘35’ badge on my back, and it ended up there were people clapping and cheering as I went passed them!’
Organisers of the hugely popular 10km event issued special medals to mark its 35th anniversary to Joan and a small group of other Irish women who had taken part every year.
Joan told how she had first taken up walking after seeing how New Yorkers had embraced the trend more than thirty years ago.
She set up a walking and jogging group in Dundalk in the early 1980s, and hasn’t looked back ever since.
Every year Joan has organised a bus full of walkers and joggers from this area to take part in what has become an annual celebration of female empowerment, along with providing a huge boost for many charities across the country.
‘It has become such an important part of the year, so much so that there is almost a sadness the day after, when it’s over for another year,’ said Joan.
‘But I have made so many great friends, and I have to say it was great to see so many first-timers there as well, so enthusiastic and looking forward to the race.’
She added that along with her own group of joggers and walkers, she is ‘delighted to see so many local people taking part.’
‘Dundalk can be very proud as every year we have the biggest number of participants taking part, people from right across north Louth. It is very inspiring.’
‘Myself and my ladies had an extraordinarily happy day. There was a lot of fun and laughs too.’
At 78, Joan is proud that she continues to run the course, and despite the challenges of a new route this year, is hoping to take part in many more.
‘I know that the organisers are hoping to change it next year, to hold the race on a Sunday, which they are hoping will attract even more women to take part.’