WATCH: Charity a winner in Cork at the Evening Echo Women’s Mini Marathon

Charities were the big winners as thousands of women raised tens of thousands of euro by taking part yesterday in the annual Evening Echo Women’s Mini Marathon through Cork City.

St Finbarr’s AC athlete Emma Murphy, from Model Farm Rd, Cork, was first to cross the line in a time of 22:03.

But for most, it was about just taking part in the four-mile run, setting personal fitness goals, and raising as much money as possible for their chosen charity.

Lord Mayor Des Cahill wished the competitors well at the start line, and was applauded when he admitted that women really run the city. He praised all the competitors and organisers of what was the 35th staging of the city’s popular mini marathon event and said more than 200 charities will benefit from their incredible fundraising efforts.

Valerie Chute and 14 of her friends ran the race for her husband Richard, 26, a naval officer who has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia.

Valerie said she was delighted to take part and hoped to do her husband and their three young children proud.

Several people raised funds for Breakthrough Cancer Research, including Mary O’Callaghan from Youghal, who was running in her 10th Evening Echo Mini Marathon in memory of her mother, who died of lung cancer.

It was Evelyn O’Brien’s first time taking part in the mini marathon. She took part in memory of her dad who died from liver cancer, and raised sponsorship for Breakthrough Cancer Research, as did Tracey Kennedy, the vice-chair of Cork County GAA Board.

Ms Kennedy underwent surgery last year after being diagnosed with the early stages of cervical cancer.

Almost one year on, she completed yesterday’s race, and raised just over €1,300 for the cancer charity.

She said she was delighted to take part — and even enjoyed it.