Dublin Women's Mini Marathon
Encyclopedia
The Dublin Women's Mini Marathon (known currently as the Flora Women's Mini Marathon due to a title sponsorship deal with Flora margarine
) is an annual charity road race
that occurs each June bank holiday Monday
in Ireland
. The event is an all-female mini marathon
over 10 km in the country's capital, Dublin.
First run in 1983, this event has seen its numbers rise through the years, with 31,000 women recorded racing in 2001 and, for the sixth consecutive year, upwards of 40,000 women participating in the most recent mini-marathon on 1 June 2009. Those to have won the race include Kenya
's Magdaline Chemjor
and Irish Olympic
silver medal
ist, Sonia O'Sullivan
, whose 2000 record time of 31 minutes and 28 seconds has yet to be beaten. Over €
123 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.
It is the biggest single day charity event in Ireland and the biggest all-female event of its type in the world. Similar events in the UK and US attract only half these figures.
in 1983. They concluded that an all-women's race would be suitable for increasing female participation. The Evening Press
were named as sponsors and Dundrum
as the host club.
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.”
In recent years, charities have used online services such as Facebook
, Twitter
and podcast
ing to promote their involvement.
From the beginning a Dublin evening newspaper has promoted the race, acting as its media sponsor. The Evening Herald
took over this role from the Evening Press
in 1996 when it went defunct in 1995. As recently as 2001, it was known as the Tesco Ireland
Evening Herald
Women's Mini-Marathon. For the 2003 race, the Herald was the only sponsor. Other sponsors have included Elverys, Citroën
and Newbridge Silverware
. Dublin Bus
provides transport and the Order of Malta is also involved.
Ballygowan
became the race's official water sponsor in 2009.
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. On the morning of the race, they begin a process of laying out cables and attaching them to the hydrants. The cables also have to be covered and ramps have to be installed for the benefit of wheelchair users. When the race is over, the crew have to take apart all their installations.
There are three water stations located along the route. The 400 metre stretch of road from Donnybrook Church water hydrant to the nearest water station is described as especially challenging to prepare. Approximately 200,000 cups are laid out at the water stations and 2,500 crash barriers line the route. 2,000 stewards and around 90 members of the Garda Síochána
patrol the race.
The 2011 marathon has now been given a date of 6th June 2011.
silver medal
ist 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.
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. Magdaline Chemjor
from Kenya
finished in second place.
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.
Magdaline Chemjor
from Kenya
won the race. 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
. 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. Valerie Vaughan finished in third place inside 34 minutes.
It raised a total of €9 million for charity.
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.
Sonia O'Sullivan
won the race inside 33 minutes and 7 seconds. Pauline Curley from Tullamore
finished in second place. Annette Kealy from Malahide
finished in third place.
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. It was her second victory in this race. Niamh O'Sullivan from County Kerry
finished in second place in a time of 35 minutes and 18 seconds. Orla O'Mahony from Raheny
finished in third place in a time of 35 minutes and 41 seconds.
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
. Rosemary Ryan from Limerick
finished in second place. The 2006 winner, Pauline Curley, finished in third place.
A total of €14 million was raised for charity.
RTÉ television editor Mary Butler, from Dun Laoghaire
, took part via her wheelchair after sustaining a chipped ankle bone day earlier. She was pushed along by newsreader Eileen Dunne
and news editor Pat Brennan
.
A total of €14 million was raised for charity.
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
. 40,374 females took part in the event, the sixth consecutive year that the 40,000 barrier was broken. A record-breaking 280 charities registered to take part.
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
. 85 year-old Maureen Armstrong from Thurles
, County Tipperary
, was the race's oldest competitor.
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. Pauline Curley from County Offaly
finished in second place, one minute behind Ryan. Annette Kealy from Raheny
finished in third place. Siobhan O'Doherty from County Tipperary
finished in fourth place.
A total of €15 million was expected to be raised for charity.
Flora (margarine)
Flora is a brand of margarine, sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. It is produced by Unilever and sold in other parts of the world under the brand name of Becel...
) is an annual charity road race
Road running
Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road . These events would be classified as long distance according to athletics terminology, with distances typically ranging from 5 kilometers to 42.2 kilometers in the marathon. They may involve large numbers of runners...
that occurs each June bank holiday Monday
Public holidays in the Republic of Ireland
These are the public holidays observed in the Republic of Ireland. Public holidays in Ireland may commemorate a special day or other event, such as Saint Patrick's Day or Christmas Day. On public holidays , most businesses and schools close...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The event is an all-female mini marathon
Mini marathon
A mini marathon is a middle to long-distance road race of a distance which is less than a marathon. The term is sometimes used in place of "Half Marathon" A mini marathon is a middle to long-distance road race of a distance which is less than a marathon. The term is sometimes used in place of "Half...
over 10 km in the country's capital, Dublin.
First run in 1983, this event has seen its numbers rise through the years, with 31,000 women recorded racing in 2001 and, for the sixth consecutive year, upwards of 40,000 women participating in the most recent mini-marathon on 1 June 2009. Those to have won the race include Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
's Magdaline Chemjor
Magdaline Chemjor
Magdaline Jepkorir Chemjor is a Kenyan long-distance runner.At the 2003 World Cross Country Championships Chemjor finished fifth in the long race, while the Kenyan team, of which Chemjor was a part, won the silver medal in the team competition. She participated in the World Half Marathon...
and Irish Olympic
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
ist, Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century...
, whose 2000 record time of 31 minutes and 28 seconds has yet to be beaten. Over €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
123 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.
It is the biggest single day charity event in Ireland and the biggest all-female event of its type in the world. 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 StillorganStillorgan
Stillorgan , formerly a village in its own right, is now a suburban area of Dublin in Ireland. Stillorgan is located in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, and contains many housing estates, shops and other facilities, with the old village centre still present...
in 1983. They concluded that an all-women's race would be suitable for increasing female participation. The Evening Press
Evening Press
The Evening Press was an Irish newspaper which was printed from 1954 until 1995. It was set up by Éamon de Valera's Irish Press group, and was originally edited by Douglas Gageby...
were named as sponsors and Dundrum
Dundrum
Dundrum is the name of several places:in Ireland:*Dundrum, Dublin, a suburb of Dublin city.**Dundrum Town Centre, a shopping centre*Dundrum, County Tipperary** the Dundrum meteorite of 1865, which fell in Munster, Ireland...
as the host club.
Several Irish women's distance runners have taken part in the race. Catherina McKiernan
Catherina McKiernan
Catherina McKiernan is a former long-distance runner from Ireland, who competed in the marathon, 10,000 metres and cross country....
recorded her first of four wins in her autobiography, Running for My Life
Running for My Life
Running for My Life is an album by Judy Collins, released in 1980. It peaked at No 142 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts, continuing a significant drop-off in chart positions for Collins for the past few years and years to come until Home Again brought her near No...
, 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.”
In recent years, charities have used online services such as Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
and podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
ing to promote their involvement.
Sponsorship
The race has had a large list of sponsors through its history. Flora is the current title sponsor and intends to continue its association with the race until 2012.From the beginning a Dublin evening newspaper has promoted the race, acting as its media sponsor. The Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
took over this role from the Evening Press
Evening Press
The Evening Press was an Irish newspaper which was printed from 1954 until 1995. It was set up by Éamon de Valera's Irish Press group, and was originally edited by Douglas Gageby...
in 1996 when it went defunct in 1995. As recently as 2001, it was known as the Tesco Ireland
Tesco Ireland
Tesco Ireland is the Irish arm of supermarket group Tesco. It was formed in Tesco plc's 1997 takeover of the Irish retailing operations of Associated British Foods, namely Powers' Supermarkets Limited and its subsidiaries, trading as Quinnsworth and Crazy Prices.Tesco operates supermarkets under...
Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
Women's Mini-Marathon. For the 2003 race, the Herald was the only sponsor. Other sponsors have included Elverys, Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
and Newbridge Silverware
Newbridge Silverware
-History:Newbridge Silverware, formerly known as Newbridge Cutlery, was founded in 1933 as a cutlery manufacturer. The company faced hardship right through the 1940s and a trade depression resulted in 1952 which forced large staff reductions. The 1990s saw a major change for the cutlery...
. Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus is a public transport operator in Ireland. It operates an extensive bus network of 172 radial, cross-city and peripheral routes and 18 night routes in the city of Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area. The company, established in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann which is...
provides transport and the Order of Malta is also involved.
Ballygowan
Ballygowan
Ballygowan is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the Borough of Ards. The town of Comber is a short distance to the north-east, the town of Saintfield to the south, and the city of Belfast a further distance to the north-west. It had a population of 2,671 people...
became the race's official water sponsor in 2009.
Preparation
A significant amount of preparation goes into the running of the mini-marathon. Since 2008, fifteen or sixteen members of Dublin City CouncilDublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
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. On the morning of the race, they begin a process of laying out cables and attaching them to the hydrants. The cables also have to be covered and ramps have to be installed for the benefit of wheelchair users. When the race is over, the crew have to take apart all their installations.
There are three water stations located along the route. The 400 metre stretch of road from Donnybrook Church water hydrant to the nearest water station is described as especially challenging to prepare. Approximately 200,000 cups are laid out at the water stations and 2,500 crash barriers line the route. 2,000 stewards and around 90 members of the Garda Síochána
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
patrol the race.
The 2011 marathon has now been given a date of 6th June 2011.
Notable winners
Multiple time World Cross-CountryIAAF World Cross Country Championships
IAAF World Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running. Held annually and organised by International Association of Athletics Federations , it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships...
silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
ist Catherina McKiernan
Catherina McKiernan
Catherina McKiernan is a former long-distance runner from Ireland, who competed in the marathon, 10,000 metres and cross country....
won the event in 1998, 1999 and 2004. Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century...
won the event in 2000, months before she went on to win the silver in the Olympic
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
5000m.
2000
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonia O'Sullivan Sonia O'Sullivan Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century... |
 Republic of Ireland |
31:28 | Record time | |
| Magdaline Chemjor Magdaline Chemjor Magdaline Jepkorir Chemjor is a Kenyan long-distance runner.At the 2003 World Cross Country Championships Chemjor finished fifth in the long race, while the Kenyan team, of which Chemjor was a part, won the silver medal in the team competition. She participated in the World Half Marathon... |
 Kenya |
? | ||
| ? | ? | |||
The 2000 mini-marathon was the 18th running of the event.
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century...
won the race, in a record time of 31 minutes and 28 seconds. Magdaline Chemjor
Magdaline Chemjor
Magdaline Jepkorir Chemjor is a Kenyan long-distance runner.At the 2003 World Cross Country Championships Chemjor finished fifth in the long race, while the Kenyan team, of which Chemjor was a part, won the silver medal in the team competition. She participated in the World Half Marathon...
from Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
finished in second place.
2001
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magdaline Chemjor Magdaline Chemjor Magdaline Jepkorir Chemjor is a Kenyan long-distance runner.At the 2003 World Cross Country Championships Chemjor finished fifth in the long race, while the Kenyan team, of which Chemjor was a part, won the silver medal in the team competition. She participated in the World Half Marathon... |
Kenya |
? | ||
| Sonia O'Sullivan Sonia O'Sullivan Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century... |
Republic of Ireland |
33:26 | ||
| Valerie Vaughan | Republic of 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.
Magdaline Chemjor
Magdaline Chemjor
Magdaline Jepkorir Chemjor is a Kenyan long-distance runner.At the 2003 World Cross Country Championships Chemjor finished fifth in the long race, while the Kenyan team, of which Chemjor was a part, won the silver medal in the team competition. She participated in the World Half Marathon...
from Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
won the race. Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century...
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
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. She claimed that the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, at which she won a silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
, 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. Valerie Vaughan finished in third place inside 34 minutes.
2004
The 2004 mini-marathon was the 22nd running of the event.It raised a total of €9 million for charity.
2005
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonia O'Sullivan Sonia O'Sullivan Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century... |
Republic of Ireland |
33:07 | ||
| Pauline Curley | Republic of Ireland |
? | ||
| Annette Kealy | Republic of 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.
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century...
won the race inside 33 minutes and 7 seconds. Pauline Curley from Tullamore
Tullamore
Tullamore is a town in County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. It is Offaly's county town and the centre of the district.Tullamore is an important commercial and industrial centre in the region. Major international employers in the town include 'Tyco Healthcare' and 'Boston Scientific'. In...
finished in second place. Annette Kealy from Malahide
Malahide
Malahide is a coastal suburban town, near Dublin city, located in the administrative county of Fingal, within the traditional County Dublin, Ireland. It has a village-like centre and extensive residential areas to the south, west and northwest.-Name:...
finished in third place.
2006
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pauline Curley | Republic of Ireland |
35:04 | Second victory | |
| Niamh O'Sullivan | Republic of Ireland |
35:18 | ||
| Orla O'Mahony | Republic of 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
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
won the race inside 35 minutes and 4 seconds. It was her second victory in this race. Niamh O'Sullivan from County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
finished in second place in a time of 35 minutes and 18 seconds. Orla O'Mahony from Raheny
Raheny
Raheny is a northern suburb of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. It is an old area, centred around an old village, and is referenced back to 570 AD but after years of light settlement, with a main village and a coastal hamlet, grew rapidly in the 20th century, and is now a mid-density...
finished in third place in a time of 35 minutes and 41 seconds.
2007
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marie Davenport Marie Davenport Marie Davenport is a female long-distance runner from Ireland. She first took part in the 1996 Summer Olympics as a participant in the 5,000 metres, and later in the 2004 Summer Olympics.-References:... |
Republic of Ireland |
33:14 | ||
| Rosemary Ryan | Republic of Ireland |
? | ||
| Pauline Curley | Republic of Ireland |
? | ||
The 2007 mini-marathon was the 25th running of the event and took place on 4 June.
Debutant Marie Davenport
Marie Davenport
Marie Davenport is a female long-distance runner from Ireland. She first took part in the 1996 Summer Olympics as a participant in the 5,000 metres, and later in the 2004 Summer Olympics.-References:...
from County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
won the race inside 33 minutes and 14 seconds, later declaring her interest in representing Ireland at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. Rosemary Ryan from Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
finished in second place. The 2006 winner, Pauline Curley, finished in third place.
A total of €14 million was raised for charity.
2008
The 2008 mini-marathon was the 26th running of the event.RTÉ television editor Mary Butler, from Dun Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire or Dún Laoire , sometimes anglicised as "Dunleary" , is a suburban seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland, about twelve kilometres south of Dublin city centre. It is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County and a major port of entry from Great Britain...
, took part via her wheelchair after sustaining a chipped ankle bone day earlier. She was pushed along by newsreader Eileen Dunne
Eileen Dunne
Eileen Dunne is an Irish newscaster and radio presenter. She currently presents RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock on RTÉ One and is afternoon newsreader on RTÉ Radio....
and news editor Pat Brennan
Pat Brennan
Patrick J. Brennan became the 7th Executive of Broome County, New York on April 21, 2011, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Barbara J. Fiala.. Pat was endorsed by the Broome County Democratic Committee in February 2011. He was defeated in a special election on November 8, 2011 by...
.
A total of €14 million was raised for charity.
2009
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemary Ryan | Republic of Ireland |
34:36 | ||
| Pauline Curley | Republic of Ireland |
35:41 | ||
| Annette Kealy | Republic of Ireland |
36:04 | ||
| Siobhan O'Doherty | Republic of 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
Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. It is named after its current owner, Volvo...
in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. 40,374 females took part in the event, the sixth consecutive year that the 40,000 barrier was broken. A record-breaking 280 charities registered to take part.
Spectators included Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
actress Dana Delany
Dana Delany
Dana Welles Delany is an American film, stage, and television actress, producer, host and health activist.After various roles in the early career, Delany garnered her first leading role in 1987 in the short-lived NBC sitcom Sweet Surrender and achieved wider fame in 1988–1991 as Colleen McMurphy...
, whilst participants included RTÉ personalities Síle
Síle Seoige
Síle Seoige is an Irish television presenter and Gaeilgeoir. She is fluent in both Irish and English, and has worked for Raidió Teilifís Éireann and the Irish language station TG4...
and Gráinne Seoige
Gráinne Seoige
Gráinne Seoige is an Irish television presenter, Gaeilgeoir, and "fashion icon",Gráinne Seoige is one of the few television presenters who has worked for all terrestrial channels in the Republic of Ireland at some point. She has worked as a news anchor on TG4, TV3 and Sky News Ireland...
, model Glenda Gilson
Glenda Gilson
Glenda Gilson is an Irish model and television presenter.-Career:In August 2006, Gilson embarked on a presenting career, appearing as the face of Irish music channel Bubble Hits hosting the news and entertainment show Glenda's Showbiz Gossip...
and former Xposé
Xposé
Xposé is an Irish entertainment/celebrity gossip programme, broadcast weekday evenings at 6pm on TV3, with a repeat the following day at 12:50pm on TV3 and again at 6.30pm on 3e .-History and format:...
presenter Lorraine Keane
Lorraine Keane
Lorraine Keane is an IFTA-nominated Irish broadcaster and journalist.She is best known known as leader of the "Xposé girls", a team of female television presenters who feature on TV3's daily fashion and celebrity lifestyle show from which their title is drawn and of which Keane was the anchor.Keane...
. 85 year-old Maureen Armstrong from Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
, was the race's oldest competitor.
Rosemary Ryan from Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
was the winner in a time of 34 minutes and 36 seconds, completing the race over one minute quicker than the 2008 winner. Pauline Curley from County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
finished in second place, one minute behind Ryan. Annette Kealy from Raheny
Raheny
Raheny is a northern suburb of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. It is an old area, centred around an old village, and is referenced back to 570 AD but after years of light settlement, with a main village and a coastal hamlet, grew rapidly in the 20th century, and is now a mid-density...
finished in third place. Siobhan O'Doherty from County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
finished in fourth place.
A total of €15 million was expected to be raised for charity.
2010
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linda Byrne | Republic of Ireland |
34:29 | ||
| Maria McCambridge | Republic of Ireland |
34:31 | ||
| Teresa McGloin | Republic of Ireland |
34:36 |
2011
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caitriona Jennings | Republic of Ireland |
35:28 | ||
| Siobhan O'Doherty | Republic of Ireland |
35:31 | ||
| Aoife Talty | Republic of Ireland |
35:54 |