The 2024 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon was officially launched yesterday in Dublin. Over 20,000 women are expected to participate this year and the event is open to all those who wish to walk, jog or run the 10km route through Dublin City Centre.

The 10km event, now in its 42nd year, will take place on Sunday June 2nd at 12:30pm.

Businesswoman Aimee Connolly, disability advocate and public speaker Nikki Bradley, TV presenter and model Katja Mia and health and fitness coach Nathalie Lennon were unveiled as Vhi ambassadors for this year’s event. They are calling on women all around the country to join them on the 2nd June for the largest all-female event of its kind in the world.

To mark the launch of this year’s event, Vhi commissioned research with 500 female runners to get a better understanding of the link between women’s health issues and how they impact women’s running habits. The key findings of this research are:

Running and Menstruation

34% of women do not change their running behaviours when menstruating
43% continue to run but run less when menstruating
77% of women believe that running makes them feel better while menstruating, with 62% believing that running helps them manage PMS and menstrual symptoms such as cramps and fatigue
18% stop running altogether while menstruating, with the main reasons cited being:
Fatigue (62%)
Lack of motivation (49%)
Fear of bleeding onto clothing (44%)
Feeling bloated (40%)

Running Post-Birth

68% of women who have given birth believe running helped with their post-birth recovery

Running and Pelvic Floor Issues

61% of women are conscious of issues related to their pelvic floor while running, however 3 in 5 say these issues are not enough to deter them from running.

Running and Menopause/Peri-Menopause

60% of women who have gone through or are going through peri-menopause or menopause still run or walk as they believe it helps overcome their symptoms
14% stopped running or walking as the symptoms made it harder for them to exercise

Each of the ambassadors will be following a 12-week programme to prepare them for the run and will be publishing how they are getting on across their social media channels.

Registration for the event is now open on www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie. Every participant will receive a Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon finishers medal, and can opt in at registration to receive a Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon t-shirt.

Additionally Vhi members can claim back their entry fee via the Vhi app.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon to Dublin’s city centre for the 42nd time,” said VHI Women’s Mini Marathon General Manager David O’Leary.

“It’s not just about the distance or whether you walk or run; it’s about women connecting, supporting each other, and making a heartfelt difference.”

“With over 20,000 women expected to join us in Dublin this June, we’re ready to celebrate the power of togetherness and the heart-to-heart connections that make this event so special.”

“2024 marks ten years of Vhi’s title sponsorship of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, and we are as excited about this year’s event as we were when we came on board a decade ago,” added Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Communications in Vhi.

“The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is for every woman, and whether you’re taking part for fitness reasons, to raise money for charity or simply to feel part of something big, it’s such a powerful occasion that you will remember the event for a long time after you cross the finish line.”

 

 

The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon, DSDAC and Athletics Ireland are full members of the Sport for Business community.
The Sport for Business Membership is made up of nearly 300 organisations including all of the leading sports and sponsors, commercial and state agencies. Find out more about joining them today.

 

Get the full benefit of a Sport for Business membership by joining us at one of our upcoming events where sporting and business leadership comes together.


 

Be part of the biggest community of sporting and business organisations in Ireland by becoming a member of Sport for Business and enjoying a host of benefits.


 

Enjoy more of what we have to offer with events. podcasts and a twice-daily news bulletin.  Simply click on the images below to sign up for the free bulletin or find out more…