The 2018 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon was launched in Dublin yesterday. The event is following the lead of the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon by switching back to Sunday of the June Bank Holiday Weekend and will take place on Sunday, June 3rd.
The move by the Marathon in 2016 led to a surge in entries to a new high of 20,000 with runners appreciating a day of recovery on the Bank Holiday Monday before returning to work and, perhaps of greater significance, the race being opened up to more overseas runners, and those from Northern Ireland, who would have had to take a day off work to compete.
This year’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is celebrating its 36th year and over 35,000 women are expected to take part along the 10K route starting on Fitzwilliam Square and heading out through Donnybrook to beyond UCD and back via Nutley Lane and Merrion Road to a finish on Baggot Street.
There will also be a new Dublin city centre race number collection venue. Participants will be able to collect their race numbers and soak up the pre-event atmosphere at Trinity Sports Centre, Trinity College on the Friday and Saturday of the June Bank Holiday weekend.
The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is the biggest all female event of its kind in the world and Ireland’s largest one day charity fundraising event. Since its inception it has raised over €210m for charities.
Entries are open from 11am on March 7th at www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie Postal applications forms are also available in The Herald every Wednesday and Saturday. Entries received before April 13th are in with a chance of winning a new Nissan Micra.
“For the first time in nearly two decades, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon will take place on Sunday,” said Kathy Endersen, CEO of the Women’s Mini Marathon which was developed and run originally by volunteers from Dundrum South Dublin Athletics Club.
“Moving back to Sunday will offer more women from all over the country and abroad the chance to participate in our amazing event and make the most of the bank holiday weekend in Dublin.”
“Over one million women have taken part in the event to date and we are proud to have played a part in helping women reach their personal milestones, whether fundraising for charity, achieving fitness goals, or just experiencing the atmosphere of this special day. ”
Participants will be supported by a Vhi Support Team with online training plans, recipe ideas and training motivation.
Ambassadors
Event ambassadors for 2018 include fitness advocate and running novice Amanda Byram, former international athlete and nutrition expert David Gillick and personal trainer Louise Heraghty.
“I am passionate about promoting women’s fitness and delighted to be back as an ambassador for the 2018 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon,” said Byram at yesterday’s launch, taking time out from Dancing With the Stars.
“I took part last year with my mum, and it was a really special day. 35,000 women of all ages and abilities walking, jogging and running the streets of Dublin, achieving their fitness goals and raising money for charity is a very powerful event to be part of.”
Vhi are back on board as race sponsors for a fourth year, doubling down on participation events with their corporate partnership with ParkRun here in Ireland.
Participation
“We are proud to be part of this wonderful event, celebrating every woman that crosses the finish line and rewarding their participation,” said Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Communications at Vhi.
“At Vhi we are committed to helping our customers live longer, stronger, healthier lives and our partnership with the Women’s Mini Marathon helps us to deliver this.”
“Our Vhi Support Team will be with participants every step of the way providing weekly advice, recipe and training plans on www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie and through Vee, our Vhi chatbot running buddy on Facebook Messenger.”
“We want to encourage as many women as possible to participate on June 3rd and enjoy the benefits of exercise, while raising money for their chosen charity and having lots of fun.”
Registration for the event opens today at 11 am at www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie
Sign up today for our free daily news digest covering the commercial world of sport or discover the benefits of becoming a full member alongside the many leading organisations whom we serve.
