Participants of the Vhi Woman’s Mini Marathon have raised €430,000 for Irish charities.  

Some 20,000 women took place in the race in Dublin today, starting at Fitzwilliam Place and ending on Lower Baggot Street.  

Nakita Burke from Letterkenny A.C. won the marathon with a time of 34 minutes and 27 seconds. Courtney McGuire from Clonmel A.C. was second across the finish line in 34 minutes and 33 seconds, and Teresa Doherty from Finisk Valley A.C. placed third in 34 minutes and 58 seconds.  

Shauna Bocquet from Craughwell, Galway won the Elite Wheelchair Category in a time of 26 minutes and 59 seconds.  

And their off!! #vhiwmm pic.twitter.com/YVJJx2fS7Z

— VhiWMM (@VhiWMM) June 4, 2023

Race director David O’Leary said “it’s a race for every type of woman”.

“We have women as young as 14 and our oldest participant, who is 93 years old,” he said. “So there's a very wide range of abilities and interests.” 

“I’d like to thank the hundreds of volunteers who each year give so generously of their time to help make this event happen, as well as the community groups and charities who continue to support the event year after year.” 

"Surrounded by so many women"

Teresa Kane told Newstalk she was running the marathon for her son, Ciarán.  

“We're here to try and raise awareness for Friedrich’s Ataxia, and there's actually a drug that's after passing a trial in America,” she said. “We want to get that into Ireland for Ciarán and everybody else with Friedrich’s Ataxia.” 

Sorcha Ní Riann said she was “grateful” to participate in the Vhi Mini Marathon.  

Photo by JJ Clarke for Newstalk

“It's a little bit emotional to be surrounded by so many women, so many people are telling their stories, fundraising for great causes,” she said. “Maybe running for parents who passed away or had breast cancer or something.” 

“I'm doing it for myself as well - I had cancer four years ago, so it's emotional for myself as well to be able to do this. It's an amazing thing to be able to do.” 

Fundraising

So far, the marathon has raised €432,000 for charities across Ireland. The charities that have received the most are Irish Cancer Society (€95,000), Breast Cancer Ireland (€53,000) and the Temple Street Foundation (€29,000). 

The marathon has raised €226 million since its inception 41 years ago.  

Title sponsors Vhi also announced that they have extended their title sponsorship of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon for a further three years. 

“Vhi is very proud to partner with the Women’s Mini Marathon,” Vhi Chief Executive Brian Walsh said. “It’s a brilliant way for us to live our purpose of helping our customers to live longer, stronger, healthier lives