06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Host of stars to support Very Pink Run for Breast Cancer Ireland
Runs will take place across Dublin, Cork and Kilkenny between September 6 and 14 to support breast cancer research, along with nationwide awareness and education programmes.
The Very Pink Run, supported by online retailer Very, has grown into a global phenomenon since it was established, raising €7.3m to date, with over 97,000 participants across 40 countries.
This year, the pink wave is set to sweep across Dublin on September 6, Cork on September 7, and Kilkenny on September 14, with thousands expected to attend.
Several well-known faces have been announced as event ambassadors, including Virgin Media presenter Elaine Crowley, FM104's Thomas 'Crossy' Crosse and Zeinab Elguzouli, Dancing with the Stars winner and pro-dancer Laura Nolan, and 98FM presenter and performer Paul Ryder.
Other ambassadors include Newstalk presenter Andrea Gilligan, presenter Kamal Ibrahim, and author and breast cancer survivor Nicola Hanney, alongside longstanding ambassadors Shane Byrne and presenter James Patrice.
Councillor and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, Lorraine Keane, Charlene Flanagan and Chris Connolly of Get Better with Chris, along with Dr Monica Oikeh and fitness guru Lesley Giltinan, are also going to lend their support.
The ambassadors are set to help rally thousands of supporters across the country and abroad to support the cause.
The chief of Breast Cancer Ireland, Aisling Hurley, said she "strongly believes that research and awareness are what will lead to zero deaths from breast cancer".
"This event simply keeps growing year on year, as does our pink tribe of supporters," she said.
"Each and every participant is playing a role in helping us to move the dial on research, awareness, novel treatments and therapies – and ultimately – survival of the 3,700 people diagnosed in Ireland each year.
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"Every pink t-shirt worn, every step taken, brings us one step closer to our goal of making this illness a treatable illness for all, and to powering a future entirely free from breast cancer," she added.
It comes as one in seven women and one in 738 men are diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime.
The funds raised through the event this year will be channelled into two targeted areas by Breast Cancer Ireland, including breast cancer research and improved patient outcomes.
The registrations for the run are now open on the Very Pink Run website, as participants can take part by running, jogging or walking in one of three large-scale physical events.
The 10k and 5k events in Dublin will take place at Leopardstown Race Course on Saturday, September 6, followed by 10k and 5k events in Cork at MTU, Bishopstown, on Sunday, September 7.
Meanwhile, the 10k and 5k Kilkenny events will kick off in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle Park on Sunday, September 14.
There are no upper or lower age limits and events are open to families, friends, solo participants, and four-legged friends.
The organisers added people can expect a "fun, family festival style outing with music, games and children's entertainment".
