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After a Covid-enforced break of two years, one of the best-loved sports events in the West of Ireland returns this May Bank Holiday Weekend to the streets of Castlebar.
Since its inception in 2010, the Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini-Marathon has attracted thousands of participants and raised hundreds of thousands of euros for worthy causes. The event officially launches today as part of Women in Sport week (Mar 7th-13th) and notably, it also coincides with the worldwide celebration of International Women’s Day.
Organised in association with Mayo Sports Partnership, the event was forced to go virtual for the past two years, and while the initiative proved a tremendous success, the organisers are absolutely thrilled that the lifting of Covid restrictions has allowed for the return of a more ‘normal’ mini-marathon.
“After a two-year gap, all of us in Mayo Sports Partnership are delighted to be back organising a physical West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon in 2022,” said Head of Mayo Sports Partnership Charlie Lambert. “We are so looking forward to seeing participants’ happy faces and hearing about all their personal achievements, it will be inspiring for us all.”
The 10k mini-marathon will take place on Sunday, May 1, starting and finishing at the Mall in Castlebar. The virtual mini-marathon, which proved such a success during the pandemic, will also take place over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, and Mayo people throughout the world are being encouraged to participate. In addition, the Mini-Mini 1k race for children will also take place at The Mall on the same day as the main event.
The mini-marathon is being held in conjunction with the Mayo Day Weekend, which also makes a welcome return after a two-year hiatus.
Mayo Co Council’s Head of Communications Martina Hughes said the Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini-Marathon has been a highlight of the Mayo Day activities since the council first launched Mayo Day in 2015.
“Over the years, we have been delighted to welcome thousands of women from across the region and beyond for this superb event in the Mayo sporting diary.”
Ms Hughes explained that this year’s Mayo Day is part of a broader month-long celebration that will see many people visiting from overseas for a host of community events in Mayo, including concerts and festivals.
“The month of May 2022 will see the roll out of Home to Mayo, a month-long series of events encouraging visitors to our county. It is fitting that the mini-marathon forms a signature event in the Home to Mayo calendar.”
Commercial Director with the Western People Aidan McNulty said: “The Western People is so proud to be involved with Ireland’s largest all-female event outside of Dublin. The mini-marathon has become a landmark fixture in the West of Ireland sporting calendar.
“While it was hosted virtually over the last two years, it really made us realise how special this event is. However, this year we will have the diaspora entering it virtually, with everyone else taking part on the streets of Castlebar.
The Western People will have all the information on how to sign up, as well as training plans, interviews with famous past participants and much more in the coming weeks. You can also check out the social media channels of Mayo.ie and Mayo Sports Partnerships for regular updates.
The entry fee for this event is €25. For virtual participants in Ireland the entry fee is €20 while outside of Ireland it is €25 to cover the additional cost of postage. All participants, whether they compete at the event in Castlebar or take part virtually, will receive a t-shirt, a medal and an event number. The Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini-Marathon is a non-profit event with all monies raised going back into supporting local sporting organisations in Mayo.