Almost 10,000 women take part in charity mini-marathon
And the almost 10,000 women who took part in the Evening Echo Cork Women’s Mini Marathon found the going tough too.
For some it was a serious race but for the handful or so who brought their pet dogs along, Munster’s biggest charity fundraiser was a just a bit of fun.
In a refreshing change from the regular drag and fancy dress runners, one woman was seen striding down Centre Park Road with three greyhounds in tow.
“Barking mad, boy. They’re all barking,” quipped one wit on the safe side of the barrier as the Vhi Healthcare supported race streamed down the Marina towards Blackrock Village.
Marathon runner Bernice Glavin, who earlier this year wrote an inspiring book on her successful battle with breast cancer, crossed the finishing line close to Kennedy Park under the three-quarters of an hour mark.
And Labour TD Kathleen Lynch, who ran a successful election campaign earlier this year, opted to walk this one.
It is estimated that up to €2 million was raised for local charities and hospitals by runners who completed the four-mile run through the city’s docklands region.
And while the serious runners were crossing the finishing line in just over 20 minutes, most competitors were just happy it didn’t rain.
The race was won by Niamh O’Sullivan of An Riocht Athletics Club in Castleisland, Co Kerry, in a time of 21 minutes 52 seconds.
Kaly Harty, from Co Down, crossed the line in second place with Breda Dennehy, who flew in from the US to take part, coming in third.
Noreen Murphy, the chairwoman of the Cork branch of the Athletics Association of Ireland, said things had come a long way since the 1980s.
“I remember running down the street for the race in 1985 just grabbing people to try and make up the 300 runner mark. And to see the crowds here today is just wonderful,” she said.
Previous winners include Sonia O’Sullivan and Ann Keenan Buckley.
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