‘It's an amazing atmosphere' – feel-good day in the capital as 28,000 take part in VHI Women's Mini Marathon

Irish Independent

5 days ago

The first day of June showed early signs of a dreary day out for the 28,000 taking part in the annual run.
There were spits of drizzle throughout the morning and an unseasonable breeze blew around the capital, but by early afternoon the sun was shining bright to bring a day more befitting the season.
Moving through the city centre, it was clear the weather would be no deterrent regardless. Hours before the 12.30pm start-time, the streets were dotted with the purple t-shirts synonymous with an event now in its 43rd year.
Among the competitive runners on the day, it was Grace Richardson of Kilkenny City Harriers who took first place with a time of 34:17. She was followed by Claire Fagan from Mullingar Harriers AC
In third place was Jessica Craig of North Down AC on 34:55.
The Visually Impaired category was won by Sinead Kane from the Le Chéile Athletic Club with a time of 44:26.
More than €2 million has already been raised this year alone, bringing the total amount of money raised by the Mini Marathon up to more than €255 million since it was first held in 1982.
Many taking part in the Mini Marathon do so for a good cause, including Castleknock woman Amy Kane, her sisters Kim and Erin Lynch and large group of other family and friends.
The group were running in aid of the LauraLynn Children's Hospice, and all wore t-shirts with the LauraLynn logo and pictures of Ms Kane's baby daughter Grace, who sadly died just three months after she was born.
'My little girl Grace was under the care of LauraLynn,' Ms Kane said. 'She was unfortunately diagnosed with meningitis when she was 18 days old. She was under the care of LauraLynn and she passed away at three months old.
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Ms Kane said the care provided by LauraLynn wasn't just for Grace, but also for the entire family.
'Grace was a triplet, so her sisters Cara and Chloe were premature as well, they were born at 32 weeks. We had to stay in LauraLynn for three weeks before Grace passed away.
Ms Kane described how the charity had cots for Cara and Chloe. Their brother James was only 18 months old at the time, so they had a toy corner for the toddler.
'It was just after Covid and they made it possible for all our family and friends to come in and meet Grace before she passed away. They're amazing, we're still very close to them and we'll continue to support them.'
Blanchardstown neighbours Stephen McGovern and Charlie and Aileen Boyd, running separately for different causes, ran into each other on their way to the starting line.
Decked out in a blonde wig and short shorts, Mr McGovern had already raised €500 for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association. He said for every €10 he raised, a strip of hair was waxed from his legs and sure enough, his legs were hairless.
He was running in memory of his aunt Eilish, who died following a battle with the disease.
'My aunt passed away from Motor Neuron about 12 years ago and between myself and a few other family members, we've always raised money,' he said.
'It's a disease that has no cure at the moment, so helping families get the support that they need and getting the charity the funds that they deserve is the right thing to do.'
Mr McGovern said he is conscious of the Mini Marathon being an event for women, but he felt running for a woman who can no longer run it herself anymore was appropriate.
'I've always believed the Women's Mini Marathon is a women's event, but men should do it if they're raising money for a women's charity or in place of a woman who can't run.
"So, raising money in that direction is the right thing to do and since it's such an amazing atmosphere, supporting her since she's passed, it makes it more fun.'
Further south, the Cork City Marathon and Half Marathon races were also held on Sunday, where Clare man Chris Jeuken of Derg AC took first place in the marathon, just three weeks after winning the Limerick half marathon.
Mr Jeuken, who finished with a time of two hours, eighteen minutes and 55 seconds, was greeted at the finish line by his girlfriend Olivia Gurnett who herself ran the 10km race today.
The leading woman in the Cork City Marathon was Evelyn Twomey with a time of two hours and 54 minutes.
A total of more than 11,000 people took part across the marathon, half marathon and 10km in Cork including 550 international runners from 26 countries.