a multi-sectoral subcommittee of Offaly County Council
core funded by Sport Ireland
Castlebar is getting all geared up to welcome women from all over Ireland and beyond to the Mayo capital for the 9th Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon on Sunday 6th May
The Mini Marathon, one of the flagship events around Mayo Day 2018, is expected to attract large numbers of participants, supporters, family, friends etc.
Taking place also on the day immediately after the start of the mini marathon will be the 5th Mini Mini Primary Schools Children’s Fun Run which has grown in popularity with hundreds of school children participating. Event organisers are delighted that Sonia O Sullivan has once again announced her intention to return to Castlebar to lend her support to the largest event for women in the West of Ireland
The 10-kilometre run / walk and the 2km Mini Mini event is being co-organised by the Western People and Mayo Sports Partnership. To celebrate Mayo Day 2018 main sponsor Mayo.ie are giving a specially designed technical t-shirt to all participants who enter the event by closing date Friday 27th April . In addition to a t-shirt and specially commissioned finishers medal, all participants for the first time will receive a goody bag with lots of different treats etc enclosed. Entry fee is just €20 and participants can enter online or by filling out the entry form in the Western People and posting to Mayo Sports Partnership, Mayo County Council, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Like last year a special drive to get more teenage girls participating in the event is being promoted through the ‘It’s for Girls’ initiative. Supported by Sport Ireland's “Women in Sport” initiative, all second level schools in the region are invited to participate in the Its for Girls Mini Marathon Challenge. For this initiative the organisers are partnering up with Mayo / Roscommon Hospice inviting schools to raise funds for the charity. “Its for Girls” aims to get more girls more physically active and by engaging with the Mini Marathon Challenge the school can also be in with an excellent chance of winning prizes up to €2500. All Its for Girls participants have reduced entry of €10 and the girls will receive a goody bag, a finishers medal, a t shirt and many more surprises too. Teachers and mentors taking part with the girls can avail of the same entry fee.
With the mini-marathon a little under three weeks away the excitement is building. To capture the festival atmosphere, the Mall will incorporate a stage with music, refreshment zone, children’s activity area etc. The Mini Marathon will commence at 12 Noon followed by the Children’s Run at 12.05pm from the Courthouse with the Mall open to the public from 10.30am – 5pm.
The organisers would like to ask participants and members of the public to be environmentally friendly and utilise recyclable waste bins on the Mall as well as the race route itself.
Finally with an event of this nature some temporary road closures will be in operation on Sunday 6th May and again the organisers would kindly ask the public to acknowledge these restrictions for the health and safety of all. These are listed below:
• 9.30am Mall Closure- until 4pm
• Ellison Street Closure 11.30am – 3pm
• Lower Spencer St Closure 10.30am – 12.30am
• Duke St 12 Noon – 1pm
• Newport Rd to Pound Rd 12 Noon – 1pm
• Pound Rd 12 Noon – 1pm
• Gallows Hill 12 Noon – 1pm
• Newline 12 Noon – 1pm
• Pontoon Rd to Ballinacarriga 12 Noon – 2pm
• Ballinacarriga to Ballynew 12 Noon – 2pm
• Ballynew / Turlough Rd 12 Noon – 2.30pm
• Staball Hill / Thomas St 12.15 – 2.30pm
• Bridge St 12.15 – 2.30pm
• Main Street 12.15- 2.30pm
Note that the road closures will be temporary in nature following the progress of the participants of the marathon, and delays may be expected. Please comply with instructions of the stewards for health and safety reasons. It is recommended that visitors to Castlebar town arrive early and park in locations to best enjoy the mini marathon and other related events.
Participants in the Mini Marathon are reminded that closing date for entries is Friday 27th April; you can enter online at www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com . For more information on any of the above contact Mayo Sports Partnership at 094-9047025.
