Sunshine and party atmosphere greets mini marathon

It was a day to remember in Castlebar on Sunday May 2nd as thousands of women, runners and walkers, took over the picturesque Mall for the West of Ireland Womens Mini Marathon. Organised by the Western People and the Mayo Sports Partnership, the event surpassed even the most optimistic expectations with more than 3,000 ladies setting off on the 10 kilometre journey from the centre of Castlebar to Turlough village and back to the Mall. The party atmosphere on the day was further enhanced by the sunshine as family members came out in support of mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters who were participating in the event. The overall winner was Sligo woman Lucy Brennan who came home in an impressive 37 minutes and 57 seconds. Second and third places went to Claremorris women Catherine Conway and Mary Gleeson, both members of Mayo Athletics Club. Fourth place went to Breege Blehin McHale from Moygownagh. Another star of the mini-marathon was 77-year-old Alice Egan from Ballina who completed the ten kilometre route in two hours and 14 minutes in what was a wonderful advertisement for active living. Alice was given a special presentation when she reached the finish line, in addition to the souvenir medal which each of the participants recevied. A total of 3,000 women registered to take part in the marathon with hundreds of thousands of euros being raised for charities across the region. Family entertainment was also provided at the Mall before and after the race. CEO of the Western People, Brian Feeney, described the event as a tremendous success and thanked everyone who had helped to make the day such a memorable one.

"It was an incredible turn-out for the inaugural mini-marathon and we certainly couldn’t have hoped for better weather. The Western People is delighted to have helped found this event because to-day was all about community spirit and that’s what we as a newspaper have always tried to foster. So many charities have benefited from to-day and everyone has had a fun time raising money. And for the more serious local athletes it has given them an opportunity to compete in a major race on home soil."

Charlie Lambert, co-ordinator of the Mayo Sports Partnership, said the mini marathon had been one of the great sporting successes in Co Mayo in recent years. The huge turn-out at the inaugural event meant the mini-marathon would become a fixture on the sporting calendar.

There was a great fun element to the mini-marathon with families, groups of friends and workers all taking part in the event. Even a few males managed to gatecrash the female party by donning wigs and, in some cases, skirts and tights. Representatives of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce said the event had generated substantial revenue for the local economy, with many of the participants remaining in town long after the final walkers had crossed the finish line. The event was also expertly managed by the emergency services who closed off the streets in the town centre for the thousands of participants.

Results for the mini marathon may be obtained in the special souvenir 10 page supplement of the Western People in your local newsagent or by purchasing an online digital copy at www.westernpeople.ie . They will also be available to view on www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com from Monday 10th May.

Information on Castlebar/ Where to stay etc.

http://www.castlebarchamber.ie/whatwedo.aspx?id=1093

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Go to Castlebar - www.castlebar.ie