Dublin Women's Mini Marathon

Dublin Women's Mini Marathon
Date First Monday of June
Location Dublin, Ireland
Event type Road
Distance Mini marathon
Established 1983
Course records 31:28 (Republic of Ireland Sonia O'Sullivan, 2000)
Official site www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie

The Dublin Women's Mini Marathon, a 10k road race changed title sponsor in 2015 to the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon and will be known as such during the sponsorship (Vhi Healthcare).[1] The Dublin Women's Mini Marathon is an annual charity road race that occurs each June bank holiday Monday in Ireland.[2] The event is an all-female mini marathon over 10 km in the country's capital, Dublin.

First run in 1983,[3] this event has seen its numbers rise through the years, with 31,000 women recorded racing in 2001 and, for the tenth consecutive year, upwards of 40,000 women participating in the most recent mini-marathon on 1 June 2015. Those to have won the race include Kenya's Magdaline Chemjor and Irish Olympic silver medalist, Sonia O'Sullivan, whose 2000 record time of 31 minutes and 28 seconds has yet to be beaten. Over €198 million has been raised for charity and a total of over half a million women have run the race, some doing so each year since the beginning.[3][4]

It is the biggest single day charity event in Ireland and the biggest all-female event of its type in the world.[1][5] Similar events in the UK and US attract only half these figures.

History

A small group of enthusiastic male athletes gathered in the Mill House in Stillorgan in 1983.[6] They concluded that an all-women's race would be suitable for increasing female participation.[6] The Evening Press were named as sponsors and Dundrum as the host club.[6]

Several Irish women's distance runners have taken part in the race. Catherina McKiernan recorded her first of four wins in her autobiography, Running for My Life, saying: "I enjoyed every moment of it. The crowds were more incredible that I expected, and it was just something I always wanted to do."[6]

In recent years, charities have used online services such as Facebook, Twitter and podcasting to promote their involvement.[7]

Sponsorship

The race has had a large list of sponsors through its history. Vhi is the current title sponsor and intends to continue its association with the race until 2019.[1]

From the beginning a Dublin evening newspaper has promoted the race, acting as its media sponsor.[1] The Evening Herald took over this role from the Evening Press in 1996 when it went defunct in 1995.[1] As recently as 2001, it was known as the Tesco Ireland Evening Herald Women's Mini-Marathon.[8] For the 2003 race, the Herald and Nike were the only sponsors.[1] Other sponsors have included Elverys, Citroën and Newbridge Silverware.[1] Dublin Bus provides transport and the Order of Malta is also involved.[1]

Ballygowan became the race's official water sponsor in 2009.[1]

Preparation

A significant amount of preparation goes into the running of the mini-marathon. Since 2008, fifteen or sixteen members of Dublin City Council has spent the weeks in the build-up to the marathon testing water hydrants in the St Stephen's Green and Stillorgan Road areas to ensure they are working properly.[9] On the morning of the race, they begin a process of laying out cables and attaching them to the hydrants.[9] The cables also have to be covered and ramps have to be installed for the benefit of wheelchair users.[9] When the race is over, the crew have to take apart all their installations.[9]

There are three water stations located along the route.[9] The 400-metre stretch of road from Donnybrook Church water hydrant to the nearest water station is described as especially challenging to prepare.[9] Approximately 200,000 cups are laid out at the water stations and 2,500 crash barriers line the route.[3] 2,000 stewards and around 90 members of the Garda Síochána patrol the race.[3]

The 2015 VHI Women's Mini Marathon took place on 1 June 2015 with 37,000 women lining out for the race. It was won by Maria McCambridge in a time of 34 minutes and 3 seconds.[10]

Notable winners

Multiple time World Cross-Country silver medalist Catherina McKiernan won the event in 1998, 1999 and 2004. Sonia O'Sullivan won the event in 2000, months before she went on to win the silver in the Olympic 5000m.[8]

Recent years

2000

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Sonia O'Sullivan Ireland 31:28 Record time
2nd Magdaline Chemjor Kenya ?
3rd ? ?

The 2000 mini-marathon was the 18th running of the event.

Sonia O'Sullivan won the race, in a record time of 31 minutes and 28 seconds.[8] Magdaline Chemjor from Kenya finished in second place.[8]

2001

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Magdaline Chemjor Kenya ?
2nd Sonia O'Sullivan Ireland 33:26
3rd Valerie Vaughan Ireland ?

The 2001 mini-marathon was the 19th running of the event and took place on 4 June. More than 31,000 females took part in the mini-marathon.[8]

Magdaline Chemjor from Kenya won the race.[8] Sonia O'Sullivan finished in second place inside 33 minutes and 26 seconds, later announcing her intention to not contest any track races that summer, including the World Championships in Canada.[8] She claimed that the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, at which she won a silver medal, had tired her "mentally and physically" and that she wanted "to take a good rest", having been "suffering from illness all too often" that year.[8] Valerie Vaughan finished in third place inside 34 minutes.[8]

2004

The 2004 mini-marathon was the 22nd running of the event.

It raised a total of €9 million for charity.[11]

2005

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Sonia O'Sullivan Ireland 33:07
2nd Pauline Curley Ireland ?
3rd Annette Kealy Ireland ?

The 2006 mini-marathon was the 23rd running of the event and took place on 6 June. Over 40,000 females took part in the race.[11]

Sonia O'Sullivan won the race inside 33 minutes and 7 seconds.[11] Pauline Curley from Tullamore finished in second place.[11] Annette Kealy from Malahide finished in third place.[11]

2006

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Pauline Curley Ireland 35:04 Second victory
2nd Niamh O'Sullivan Ireland 35:18
3rd Orla O'Mahony Ireland 35:41

The 2006 mini-marathon was the 24th running of the event and took place on 5 June.

Pauline Curley from County Offaly won the race inside 35 minutes and 4 seconds.[12][13] It was her second victory in this race.[14] Niamh O'Sullivan from County Kerry finished in second place in a time of 35 minutes and 18 seconds.[14] Orla O'Mahony from Raheny finished in third place in a time of 35 minutes and 41 seconds.[14]

2007

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Marie Davenport Ireland 33:14
2nd Rosemary Ryan Ireland ?
3rd Pauline Curley Ireland ?

The 2007 mini-marathon was the 25th running of the event and took place on 4 June.

Debutant Marie Davenport from County Clare won the race inside 33 minutes and 14 seconds, later declaring her interest in representing Ireland at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[12] Rosemary Ryan from Limerick finished in second place.[12] The 2006 winner, Pauline Curley, finished in third place.[12]

A total of €14 million was raised for charity.[1]

2008

Rank Athlete Country Result
1st Annette Kealy  Ireland
2nd Pauline Curley  Ireland
3rd Siobhan O'Doherty  Ireland

The 2008 mini-marathon was the 26th running of the event, which was won by Annette Kealy.

RTÉ television editor Mary Butler, from Dun Laoghaire, took part via her wheelchair after sustaining a chipped ankle bone day earlier.[3] She was pushed along by newsreader Eileen Dunne and news editor Pat Brennan.[3]

A total of €14 million was raised for charity.[1]

2009

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Rosemary Ryan  Ireland 34:36
2nd Pauline Curley  Ireland 35:41
3rd Annette Kealy  Ireland 36:04
4 Siobhan O'Doherty  Ireland 36:27

The 2009 mini-marathon was the 27th running of the event and took place on 1 June. It was part of a weekend of events taking place in the country which included the Cork City Marathon and the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway.[2][15][16] 40,374 females took part in the event, the sixth consecutive year that the 40,000 barrier was broken.[1][13] A record-breaking 280 charities registered to take part.[7]

Spectators included Desperate Housewives actress Dana Delany, whilst participants included RTÉ personalities Síle and Gráinne Seoige, model Glenda Gilson and former Xposé presenter Lorraine Keane.[17] 85-year-old Maureen Armstrong from Thurles, County Tipperary, was the race's oldest competitor.[17]

Rosemary Ryan from Limerick was the winner in a time of 34 minutes and 36 seconds, completing the race over one minute quicker than the 2008 winner.[13] Pauline Curley from County Offaly finished in second place, one minute behind Ryan.[13] Annette Kealy from Raheny finished in third place.[13] Siobhan O'Doherty from County Tipperary finished in fourth place.[13]

A total of €15 million was expected to be raised for charity.[1]

2010

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Linda Byrne  Ireland 34:29
2nd Maria McCambridge  Ireland 34:31
3rd Teresa McGloin  Ireland 34:36

2011

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Caitriona Jennings  Ireland 35:28
2nd Siobhan O'Doherty  Ireland 35:31
3rd Aoife Talty  Ireland 35:54

2012

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Linda Byrne  Ireland 33:30
2nd Siobhan O'Doherty  Ireland 35:09
3rd Barbara Cleary  Ireland 35:11
4 Fiona Roche  Ireland 35:18

2013

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Siobhan O'Doherty  Ireland 34:20
2nd Fiona Roche  Ireland 34:43
3rd Maria McCambridge  Ireland 35:00

2014

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Barbara Cleary  Ireland 34:07
2nd Maria McCambridge  Ireland 34:29
3rd Catherina McKiernan  Ireland 34:38

2015

Rank Athlete Country Result Notes
1st Maria McCambridge  Ireland 34:03
2nd Ann Marie McGlynn  Ireland 34:42
3rd Catherina McKiernan  Ireland 34:46

Television coverage

Setanta Sports have broadcast race highlights each year since 2005.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Huge numbers again for Mini Marathon". Evening Herald. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Bank holiday bursting with range of events". The Irish Times. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Granny goes distance to keep marathon spirit alive, alive-o". Irish Independent. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  4. ↑ "Hickey's clan up for battle". Evening Herald. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Up to 40,000 run in Dublin mini-marathon". Ireland.com. Ireland.com. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "It's the June Bank Holiday and here come the girls". The Irish Times. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  7. 1 2 "Fundraisers set the pace". Evening Herald. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "O'Sullivan won't run in World Championships". RTÉ. 4 June 2001. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "No need to be thirsty". Evening Herald. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  10. ↑ "37,000 women brave the weather for the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin". evoke.ie. 1 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sonia wins mini-marathon". RTÉ. 6 June 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Davenport wins Mini-Marathon". RTÉ. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ryan claims Women's Mini Marathon". RTÉ. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  14. 1 2 3 "Curley wins second mini-marathon". RTÉ. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  15. ↑ "Sunshine likely for holiday weekend of marathons, music and festivals". The Irish Times. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "Tall ships, short breaths, long stems". The Irish Times. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  17. 1 2 "Ladies prove they can take the heat". Irish Independent. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.

External links

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