By Deirdre Powell - 02 June, 2014
Today’s mini-marathon in Dublin promises to be a big event on the charity calendar.
Known officially as the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, it is the biggest all-women’s event of its kind globally.
Over 40,000 women from all over the country will take part in the 10 km event. The women are fundraising for 800 different charities, though it is possible to participate in the event without supporting a charity, if desired.
Participants are given a choice of charities to support, and last year, nearly €12 million was raised. Since its inception in 1983, the race has raised almost €137 million.
The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon organization offer advice to participants on how to choose a charity for the race. A charity may be selected on the basis that it supports an interest or activity relevant to the athlete’s own life.
The organization also mentions supporting charities that are officially registered, though there is no objection to supporting a local charity (not registered) where the people are known to the participants. It is also possible to support a charity campaign or drive.
Last year, members of the Jesuit Mission Office team, which is based in Upper Sherrard Street in Dublin, took part in the race to raise funds for Gonzaga Primary School in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The athletes, Yanira Romero, Rosa Wang and Orla Ní Sheaghdha, trained hard all year for the event, which successfully paid off after they jogged and walked in the 10 km event.
This year, some of the charities that will benefit from the marathon are Cúnamh, which is an adoption agency accredited by the Adoption Authority of Ireland; the Irish Cancer Society, which aims to help all those affected by cancer; and Alone, which is a charity that supports, befriends and provides homes for older people in need.
Taking part in this year’s marathon is veteran participant Dubliner Patricia Horgan. She has run in every mini-marathon since the event was established in 1983. Despite recent health problems, she is determined to participate today.
Patricia said that she begins training for the race a couple of months ahead of other runners due to health issues.
“I still push myself because it’s a great goal,” she said. “I take my time until I get over the bridge at University College Dublin. The toughest part is the first two or three miles. The crowd along the way gives you a great boost and all the women encourage each other.”
Ms. Horgan says she hopes to complete today’s race in approximately 70 minutes.
The race starts at Merrion Square at 2pm, and it is anticipated that about two-thirds of the participants will walk the route. The women will run down Pembroke Road, through Ballsbridge and subsequently onto Merrion Road. They then cross Nutley Lane, toward University College Dublin and ultimately run along the N11 into Dublin city, where the finish point is Fitzwilliam Place.
