VIDEO: Thousands take to streets of Cork for mini marathon

Around 8,500 runners pounded the streets around Cork City yesterday for the Evening Echo Mini Marathon, with more smiles than grimaces in evidence as they poured across the finishing line.

The annual event has proved a boon for charities large and small and while it will take some time before the total amount raised this year can be guessed at, there is no doubt that many organisations will benefit to thanks to the effort of competitors on the 5km course.

The vast majority of runners were women but there were also some competitors with a Y chromosone, even if they had to drag up or don another costume as they made their way around the course.