We just keep on running...
30,000 celebrate 35 years of Women’s Mini Marathon
THIS afternoon an estimated 30,000 entrants will line up for the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon – the largest female event of its kind in the world.
The first 10k race in 1983 had 9,000 taking part and the annual event reached a record attendance in 2014 when more than 41,000 completed the course.
In all, one million women have entered the event over its 35 years with more than €210million raised on the day for charities.
The oldest participant this year is 93-year-old Maureen Armstrong, from Thurles in Co Tipperary, who is participating for the Irish Cancer Society.
The race will be a family affair for Spin radio broadcaster Doireann Garrihy who is set to hit the start line alongside her mum Clare and PR guru sister Ailbhe.
Aoife Curran, a member of the Defence Forces, plans to wear full combat gear and a weight equal to a young child (30lb) on her back.
The Tallaght woman is running for CMRF Crumlin. Aoife, 32, had to visit the hospital with her young son Oliver and said she “didn’t think twice” about her choice of charity.
DIAGNOSED
Naoimh Tuohy will take part along with seven others in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation after her son Arlo was diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition.
Orla Wallace is taking part in aid of Barretstown to celebrate the life of her son Ben who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2011 and passed away in 2015 aged 16.
The mini marathon is being run on a Sunday instead of the traditional Bank Holiday Monday for only the third time since it began.
This year an electronic billboard at the 7km mark will display messages from supporters to those taking part.
All you need is the person’s race number to leave a personal message for them at www.vhiwall of support.ie. news@irishmirror.ie