THE VIH WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON – DUBLIN

On Monday 5 June 2017, The Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon takes place in Dublin. Women from all over Ireland, arrive to Dublin to take part in this world class sporting event that raises funds for charities all over the country.

The VHI Women's Mini Marathon is the biggest all women's event of its kind in the world. It has grown from its beginnings in 1983 with almost 9,000 participants to a staggering 41,006 women participating in 2014.

Since 1983 nearly 992,000 women have entered the event - and the VHI Women's Mini Marathon had a record field of over 41,006 in 2014. This event has grown as women’s interest in their own health and vitality has developed over the last three decades.

All charities benefit as it is the women themselves who decide who they will support and many local causes gain vital revenue from the event. It is now the biggest single day charity event in the country.

Whether you want to walk the event for fun, achieve your fitness goal or if you want to compete at the highest level, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon will provide you with an experience you won’t forget.

With over 1,000 volunteers and stewards assisting runners and walkers as they embark on the city center race, the city residents come out to cheer you on as bands, DJs and many more Dubliners line the streets in support of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE LADIES MINI MARATHON

• It is the biggest all-women’s event of its kind in the world.
• Since it was first run in 1983, there has been a total entry of nearly 992,000 women.
• Since 2007 the numbers taking part have exceeded 40,000 with a record number of 41,006 taking part in 2014.
• Approximately €203m euro has been raised for charity since its beginning in 1983.
• About 25 miles of specially designed ribbon is used for the medals.
• Numerous bands and dancers provide entertainment to add to the carnival atmosphere of the day.
• Women of every age and every walk of life take part -while the majority would be in the 25 to 45 age brackets, in the 2016 race there were more than 379 participants over 70 years of age!
• The Mini Marathon idea has been copied in several European cities - Liverpool, Glasgow, London and Oslo organize all-women events.
• Every county in Ireland is represented in the race and most support a favorite charity or cause - just over half the entrants are from Dublin but all 32 counties are well represented.
• The event is known worldwide - women from a number of countries have joined (Spain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, France, England, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Japan) have all joined in the fun. 
   

HISTORY

It is difficult to understand the significance of this event without remembering what it was like in 1983. At this time it was virtually unknown for women to train in public in the towns and cities of Ireland. The Women's Mini Marathon changed all that. Though women competed in marathons in various cities, the World and Olympic governing bodies frowned on distance running by women. Up to 1980 the longest distance women ran in the Olympics was 1,500 meters (1 mile approx.).

It all began when a number of visionaries noticed an increasing number of women entering the Marathon. An idea was born and at a meeting in the Millhouse Pub in Dublin, the details of an All Women's 10k were discussed. When the idea was first discussed it was thought that maybe 3,000 women would take part. Nobody could believe when entry for the first Evening Press Women's Mini Marathon was almost 9,000!  

The event has no equals in its appeal. Women of all ages representing every county and every walk of life take part in this great Festival of Women. No pressure is put on anyone - all the participants have to do is get fit enough to walk, jog or run the 10k. It is up to each individual to set her own target. Every finisher is a winner - and receives a commemorative medal and ribbon to mark the achievement.

It is thus easy to see why the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon is the champion of women, health, charity and fun in the Irish Events Calendar each year!