Mini marathon in line for special guest

THE Irish Examiner Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon on Sunday will mark the final assignment in a big week for former international athlete, Patricia Logan.

Patricia, who now lives in New York, will be one of the 3,000 participants who will tackle the four and a half mile journey along the roads adjoining the University of Limerick.

However, before the marathon, she has two special appointments to attend.

She said: “My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this week and my sister Helen is getting married on Saturday.”

Patricia went to New York in the 1980s on an athletics scholarship and is now married there.

Meanwhile, entries for the mini-marathon are still streaming in.

Paddy O’Connell of Limerick Athletics Club, organisers of the event, said that while the closing date for entries is tomorrow, they will make a special provision for emergency late entries on Sunday. An entry form appears on page 24 of today’s paper.

Mr O’Connell said each runner must be formally entered to comply with the insurance cover they have taken out and this is why they will take in late emergency entries on Sunday, but he wants people to be entered before then.

Mr O’Connell said that to date more than 130 charities have been nominated to receive funding from those taking part.

He said: “We expect that the marathon participants will contribute upwards of €500,000 to charities.”

There will be a special aerobics warm-up for participants at 1.30pm.