Latest news with #VHIWomen'sMiniMarathon
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Feel-good day in the capital as 28,000 take part in VHI Women's Mini Marathon
'It's an amazing atmosphere' – feel-good day in the capital as 28,000 take part in VHI Women's Mini Marathon
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Thousands to take part in VHI Women's Mini Marathon
More than 28,000 women are expected to take to the streets of Dublin today for the 43rd annual VHI Women's Mini Marathon. The 10km race begins at 12.30pm, with the latest edition of the race starting on Fitzwilliam Street and finishing on Baggot Street Lower. The public is being asked to be aware of road closures throughout the city and particular in the Ballsbridge and Donnybrook area of Dublin as a result of the event and to plan ahead. Event organisers are advising participants to allow extra time to travel and to use public transport where possible. The event caters for women who wish to walk or jog for fun while also catering for competitive runners. An estimated €226m has been raised for charity since 9,000 women took part in the inaugural Women's Mini Marathon in 1983 and over 1.1 million women have entered the event over the last four decades. The Cork city marathon will also take place this morning with over 10,000 competitors expected to take part.
The Journal
6 days ago
- The Journal
Rail line closed between Connolly Station and Dún Laoghaire for June bank holiday weekend
IRISH RAIL HAS announced that its services between Dublin's Connolly Station and Dún Laoghaire will be unavailable this weekend as commuters flock to a series of bank holiday events. Between today and Monday, 2 June, restrictions and alterations will apply to both rail and bus services because of limited capacity due to annual summer gatherings such as the Bloom festival and the VHI Women's Mini Marathon taking place. Here are the main changes to note across the primary public transport services. Irish Rail A revised timetable will be in place for the weekend, with Monday's times operating as Sunday schedules for Dart and commuter services. Dart services between Connolly Station and Dún Laoghaire will be unavailable due to major works on the line between Connolly and Blackrock which will also impact Rosslare Intercity services. However, rail tickets on affected routes are valid on Dublin Bus. Dart services are operating between Malahide/Howth and Connolly, and between Dún Laoghaire and Bray/Greystones. Irish Rail is reminding customers to pre-book tickets to ensure a seat on intercity trains because of high demand on Heuston-bound rail for the purpose of attending the Bord Bia Bloom festival in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Advertisement Some Dublin-bound trains from Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford are already fully booked, so additional trains will operate out of Cork and Galway to accommodate passenger numbers heading to Bloom Extra early trains from Cobh, Midleton and Mallow will be laid on to provide for high numbers attending the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Bus Éireann The company says all services will operate to a Sunday schedule this weekend. This will include Dublin's Expressway services serving Ballina, Cavan, Donegal, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Monaghan, Sligo, Waterford and Wexford as well as serving Cork, Galway, Limerick and Tralee. Customers are strongly advised to pre-book their tickets and allow for delays if heading to and from Dublin Airport on Expressway due to holidaymakers jetting abroad. The VHI Women's Mini Marathon in the capital will cause road closures, so Bus Éireann says people must check service updates on its website for the latest travel information. Dublin Bus The company's Monday service will operate to a Sunday schedule. Its Nitelink service will continue today, but will not be in place tomorrow. Customers are told to be aware of traffic diversions in place across the city to facilitate the Women's Mini Marathon tomorrow. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
30-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wexford woman hits the streets for mini marathon to mark milestone birthday of child that keeps defying the odds
On Sunday, June 1, Sarah Dowling, Niamh Davis and Sinéad Burns will lace up their runners and hit the streets of Dublin for the VHI Women's Mini Marathon, running 10km in support of a special little boy and the charity that's helped his family every step of the way. Speaking ahead of the mini marathon, Niamh said, 'We are so proud of Eilish and her family and really want to push ourselves to give back to Jack and Jill. Matthew has continued to defy the odds and given the nature of his condition we know how important it is to the Begley's to celebrate his birthday every month. So, as he approaches his 24 month birthday we would love to mark that milestone by reaching a fundraising target of €2,400.' Matthew Begley, aged 22 months, lives in Gorey with his mum Eilish, dad John, and big brother Patrick. Born with a rare and complex heart condition, Matthew has no pulmonary artery and lives with a life-limiting diagnosis. Against all odds, he continues to amaze everyone with his strength, love of the outdoors, and beautiful smile. Since his birth the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation has provided vital in-home nursing support to Matthew. Sarah, a nurse from Waterford and a long-time friend of Eilish, has seen first-hand just how much the Jack and Jill Foundation means to the Begley family. Wanting to do something meaningful, she rallied her friends Niamh and Sinéad who are also friends with Eilish to join her in running the mini marathon. Matthew's mum Eilish will also take part in the mini marathon this year alongside her friends, in solidarity for the support her family has received. 'Every moment with Matthew is precious. Jack and Jill give us the gift of time at home together. Taking part in this run is my way of saying thank you—and celebrating how far we've come.' The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation stepped in when Matthew was just ten days old, making it possible for him to come home from hospital and spend time with his family. Since then, their dedicated nursing support has allowed Eilish and John to care for Matthew at home while also meeting the needs of big brother Patrick. Running the VHI Women's Mini Marathon is more than a fitness goal for this group, it's a show of friendship, support and community spirit. They're running for Matthew, for Eilish and over 430 families just like the Begleys across Ireland who are supported by the Jack and Jill Foundation.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Women's Mini Marathon 2025: Everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's event
Whether you are taking part in the race or cheering someone on, here is everything you need to know before the 10km event gets under way. Where do I collect my number? If you've chosen to collect your race number and pack for the VHI Women's Mini Marathon, there are two remaining opportunities. You can visit Intersport Elverys in Fonthill on Wednesday, May 28, between 10.30am and 6pm, or make a final collection the day before the event at the Conrad Hilton Dublin on Earlsfort Terrace, on Saturday, May 31, from 10.30am to 5pm. If you're collecting numbers for friends as well, organisers are asking that patrons have all their barcodes ready on their phone or printed out to help speed things up. Where are the start and finish lines? The 2025 VHI Women's Mini Marathon will start at Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2 and finish on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. The total distance is 10km. The race gets under way from 12.30pm this Sunday, June 1, but organisers ask that all participants are in their 'wave' by 11.30am. There are four waves for runners this year: elite runners are sub 45 minutes, fast running is sub 60 minutes and jogging is sub 90 minutes along with walkers. Is there somewhere to leave my bag? ADVERTISEMENT Learn more A bag drop area will be provided and communicated before race day. Only clear plastic bags are allowed. Small handbags (max A4 size) are permitted into the event and will be subject to search. What is the course route? The route starts at Fitzwilliam Street Upper before turning along Leeson Street, Morehampton Road, Donnybrook Road and the Stillorgan Road before hitting the 5km mark. Participants will then turn onto Nutley Lane and take a left onto Merrion Road, before hitting the final stretch at Pembroke Road. Will there be water stations? Yes, there will be three water stations along the course, but you can also bring a bottle with you if needed. The first water station is after the 3km mark, on the Stillorgan Road near the Teresian School. The second is at the 6km marker on the Stillorgan Road near Belfield Bridge and the final water station is outside AIB Plaza in Ballsbridge once you hit the 8km mark. Will there be road closures in Dublin on Sunday? Yes, there will be temporary road closures across several key streets along the race route. Some roads, including Herbert Street, will be closed from 8am on Saturday, May 31, until 7pm on Sunday, June 1. On race day, from around 4am until 7pm, numerous central Dublin roads will be closed, including Herbert Lane, Pembroke Row, Fitzwilliam Street, Merrion Square, Stephen's Green, Baggot Street, and others. Closures are staggered throughout the day, with some areas closing from early morning and others for shorter periods later in the day. Residents, commuters, and visitors should plan travel carefully and expect diversions or delays in these areas during the event. The full list of closures and the hours during which they will be in place is available here. Is there still time to sign up? This year's VHI Women's Mini Marathon is now sold out, but there will soon be a chance to sign up for next year as an early bird.
