Vhi Mini Marathon first-time runners visit the Mansion House

Vhi Mini Marathon first-time runners visit the Mansion House 

A number of women taking part in Dublin City Council’s new ‘Journey to the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Programme’ have today visited the Lord Mayor of Dublin at the Mansion House. 

The programme began in mid-March and has sought to engage, encourage and motivate 200 women of all ages to participate in a 12-week guided activity plan that has brought them on a journey from walking level to novice runners in preparation for the big race day on Sunday 5th June.

‘Journey to the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Programme 2022’ is the product of a collaboration between the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon and Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership. The programme has been funded by the Active Cities Dublin Project.

Active Cities is an initiative driven by Sport Ireland through the Dormant Accounts Fund and participating cities include Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. It is guided by the World Health Organisation’s GAPPA Framework, which is based on getting those people least active, active. The project is built around 4 pillars – Active Systems, Active Environments, Active Societies and Active People.

In 2020, due to Covid 19, the Mini Marathon went virtual for the first time but still managed to attract over 22,000 entrants from all over the world. It was a case of virtual again in 2021 but now, in 2022, the event finally returns to the streets of Dublin City and what a fitting way that is to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the race.

A staggering 1.09 million women have participated over its 39 years and the 40th anniversary race marks this new and exciting collaborative programme involving Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership. The Partnership, through their dedicated team of Sport Officers and admin support, do fantastic work week in, week out, in our communities. This provides opportunities for people young & old to participate in physical activity and avail of the social connections and mental health benefits that come with it. 

“An enhanced emphasis on partnership and collaboration is at the heart of the Active Cities Dublin Project and this initiative is a clear example of that,” said the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland. “For the purposes of this programme, Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership, through their team of Sports Officers around the city, have engaged with women who have never even considered entering the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon before. The hope is that this programme will help them to develop that sense of personal achievement, create new positive habits in terms of their fitness and health and who knows, perhaps even set them up for a life time of running and race participation.”

As the biggest all female event of its kind in the world, and one of the country’s largest one day charity fundraising events, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon represents a vital part of the charity fundraising calendar.  The event has been instrumental in helping hundreds of charities raise money for their causes, with over €226 million raised for charities since the event began in 1983.

David O’Leary, Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon General Manager: “We are delighted to partner with Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership this year. The work that they are doing highlights the importance of fitness and exercise to our physical and mental health, and these are values that the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon shares.  We can’t wait to be back on the streets of Dublin for our 40th year in June, and we’re looking forward to welcoming all of the women who are participating in this important initiative on the day”.

***Photographs will be circulated to picture desks by Conor McCabe Photography***

Ends

Notes to the Editor:

For more information on existing and upcoming programmes and services with Dublin City Council’s Sport and Recreation Section (including Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership), please click here: https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/sports-and-leisure 

Enter today at www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie