Dublin City Women's Mini Marathon

One of our members took part in the Dublin mini marathon on Bank Holiday Monday 4th June.  It is the biggest women only event in the world with over 40,000 women participating.  The weather was perfect;  lovely and sunny with a nice cool breeze.   The marathon started at 3pm from Leeson Street, Dublin City Centre  and proceeded towards the RDS, onwards to UCD and back into St Stephen's Green via the Stillorgan dual carriage way.  Bands played music along the way to encourage us and many children handed out water to quench our thirst.

 

The most amazing thing about the day was the wonderful humour of all the participants - cheerful and warm.  All wore brightly coloured t-shirts which bore the logos of the hundreds of charities which we all ran, jogged or walked for.  The charities benefiting from the day included the Irish Cancer Society, the Capuchin Homeless Fund, Sosad - suicide prevention, Aware - depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Drogheda Hospice, St Francis Hospice, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and many, many more.  Many women wore t-shirts with pictures of their loved ones who needed our prayers, their loved ones may have cancer or may have taken their own lives.  These courageous women were now raising money to fund organisations which could help others in their situation.

 

It was wonderful to see so many young women taking part in the event with over half the of us under 25 years old.  Their enthusiasm and joy carried us all through. 

 

Well done to everyone who took part and especially for those who struggled but did not give up.  Thanks to all the people along the route who clapped and cheered us on and thanks to all the children who gave us water to drink en route. 

Most especially thanks be to God for a beautiful, warm sunny day of joy and charity.