Sun comes out for Women’s Mini Marathon as more than 25,000 runners take to the streets

Some were wearing the event’s signature purple T-shirts or their charity colours for the first time in the 10km race, while others laced up their shoes for the latest in a long-standing tradition.

West Limerick AC athlete Íde Nic Dhomhnaill led the pack to take first place in a time of 33:23, followed by Meghan Ryan from Dundrum South Dublin AC with a time of 34:54 and Maebh Richardson from Kilkenny City Harriers AC in third place on 35:02.

Sinéad Kane from Le Chéile AC took home first place in the Elite Visually Impaired category with her time of 45:40.

Dubliner Lisa Kelleher has been taking part for 20 years, running yesterday in memory of her 13-year-old niece Shannon who died by suicide in 2012.

“We set up Shannon’s Hopeline in her memory, it’s a mental health charity based in the Liberties. We officially became a charity in 2018, we do a counselling service and teen’s fitness and wellness camps.

“I’ve been doing the mini marathon around 20 years now and I absolutely love it. You see all the women doing it for their different causes and it’s so emotional, it’s lovely,” Ms Kelleher said, running yesterday alongside Chris Connolly, who runs the charity’s fitness camps and wore a pink wig and blue dress for the occasion.

Supporters stood along the sides of the course as it looped around south Dublin, lathering on sun cream and stepping into the shade.

Some proud friends and family members held homemade signs, with colourful signs that read “Go Mammy!” waving above young children’s heads at the finish line, as runners crossed the canal in blistering heat.

An estimated €250m has been raised for charities across Ireland since the first mini marathon in 1983.

Among those pounding the pavements for a worthy cause this year was radio producer Kathleen McNamee (27), who took part in order to raise more than €2,000 in funds for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

Her boyfriend Brian stood close to the halfway mark with a permanent marker and sheet of carboard in hand, ready to pen a motivational message before Kathleen passed by.

It was a family affair for many participants yesterday, with generations of women lacing up their shoes in the sunshine. One of the youngest participants was eight-year-old Sophie Riedy from Sandyford, who was joined by her mother Abigail and grandmother Naomi.

“It’s her first time. She’ll probably be better than me though anyway! She’s very fit,” her proud mother said.

A crowd of women wearing bright pink T-shirts surrounded Grace Quinn along the course, who took part in memory of her mother Adine who died in March following a battle with cancer.

She raised more more than €30,000 in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, participating yesterday with her mother’s friends and family members from across Dublin.

They carried their own framed photo of Ms Quinn from when she took part in a mini marathon herself.

Sisters Emma (28) and Aoife (15) from Dunleer, Co Louth, wore T-shirts with photos of their mother Geraldine Killeen, who died from cancer last August.

“We’re running in memory of our mam, we’re raising funds for the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust,” said Emma, surrounded by a large group of friends all taking part with them.

They were joined yesterday by 40 people in all – friends and members of their family – who wore the T-shirts with the words ‘Be Nice’ emblazoned on the back in pink.

Carlow woman Orla Canning (33), who received a life-changing simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant almost two years ago, took part with six of her close friends to raise vital funds for the Irish Kidney Association.

Ms Canning was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 12. Her health took a further turn in her mid-twenties soon after the unexpected death of her father John when she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

“In the later stages of my kidney failure, even a simple walk wasn’t possible. I’ll never forget hitting the milestone of walking 2,000 steps eight weeks post-transplant,” she said, completing 10km yesterday.

“The transplant has been nothing short of miraculous. I’ve got my life and future back, all because someone made the selfless decision to donate. I am unbelievably grateful for that gift from a stranger,” she said.

Also taking to the start line yesterday were Phoenix Care Centre nurses Ellie Barry, Helen Macklin and Lucy Kelly, who are members of Crisis Crusaders, a running club for nurses.

They were wearing pink for breast cancer awareness, having trained with co-workers on their lunchbreaks while working at the mental health service.

“We started running on our breaks now and everything and pushing each other. Everyone from nurses, managers, we all get out together.”