The 2026 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon delivered on its promise of being the ‘Best Time Ever’ on Sunday, as a record 30,000 participants took to the streets of Dublin and organisers confirmed a five-year extension of Vhi’s title sponsorship through to 2031.

The event, now in its 44th year, reached a new milestone when all 30,000 entries sold out within 48 hours, the fastest sell-out in the event’s history. It remains one of the largest all-female participation events in the world and continues to attract runners and walkers from across Ireland and internationally.

From a Sport for Business perspective, the announcement of Vhi’s renewed commitment is as significant as the record participation figures. The healthcare provider has been the title sponsor since 2014, and the extension secures one of Ireland’s longest-running and most successful sports sponsorships for another five years.

The partnership has helped position the event as a powerful platform for participation, wellbeing and charitable fundraising, with hundreds of thousands of women taking part over the past decade and millions of euros raised for good causes.

This year’s event theme, ‘Best Time Ever’, encouraged participants to define success on their own terms, whether that meant chasing a personal best, walking with friends, supporting a charity or completing a personal challenge. The broad appeal of the event was reflected in an age range of 14 to 92, while organisers also pointed to growing participation among younger women through community and social running groups.

Dida Makes History

On the competitive side, Chaltu Dida of DSD AC became the first Ethiopian athlete to win the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, crossing the line in 31 minutes and 41 seconds. Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill of Limerick Country Club AC finished second in 32:44, with her twin sister Íde Nic Dhomhnaill of West Limerick AC taking third in 33:58.

Greta Streimiktye of UCD AC achieved victory in the visually impaired category with a time of 36:03.

A Powerful Fundraising Platform

Beyond participation and performance, the event continues to demonstrate its value as one of Ireland’s most effective charity fundraising platforms.

More than €2.3 million was raised through the official fundraising partner, iDonate, in 2025 alone, while organisers estimate that approximately €257 million has been raised for charities since the event began in 1983. Early indications suggest fundraising totals for 2026 will continue that strong tradition.

Strong Commercial Support

The commercial ecosystem around the event also continued to expand. Aside from Vhi, new partners for 2026 included Leapmotor as Official Motor Sponsor and SPIN1038 as Radio Partner, joining existing supporters including Dublin City Council, Citizen Watch, Intersport Elverys and Evoke.ie.

The event was officially started by Dublin City Council’s Head of Events, Tony Smithers, alongside Women’s Mini Marathon Chairperson Cynthia O’Neill, while live entertainment, DJs and musicians helped create a festival atmosphere along the route.

A live broadcast, ’Event Day Live’, was shown at the start and finish areas and streamed online. From the elite runners at the front to the heartwarming moments further back in the field, it gave everyone on site a window into the full story of the day as it unfolded.

Post-race, participants were supported at the Vhi Physio Zone on Merrion Square East, with fun photo opportunities and post-event activities.

This year’s medal was designed by Seán Cotter, following a design competition run in partnership with the Institute of Designers in Ireland. Titled ‘Heartbeat’, the design is a playful, considered arrangement of ‘2026’, with the forms overlapping to create a heart which symbolises the event’s values of inclusivity, connection, and love. Three intersecting lines woven through the numerals represent running tracks, capturing the movement and athletic spirit of the participants.

Vhi ambassadors Aimee Connolly, Katja Mia, Clóda Scanlon and Nathalie Lennon were all part of the journey, engaging with participants in the weeks leading up to the event

Extraordinary

Race Director David O’Leary described the day as “absolutely extraordinary,” drawing attention to both the record sell-out and the significance of extending the relationship with Vhi. He praised participants, volunteers, Dublin City Council, An Garda Síochána and sponsors for helping to deliver another successful edition of the event.

For Vhi, the renewed partnership fits well with its purpose of helping people live longer, stronger and healthier lives, while for Dublin City Council, the event remains one of the capital’s standout annual celebrations of community, participation and civic pride.

The combination of record demand, strong commercial backing, substantial fundraising impact and a long-term sponsorship renewal reinforces the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon’s status as one of the most valuable and enduring properties in Irish sport.

 

 

 

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