Just days until the West of Ireland’s premier sporting event for women – the Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini Marathon!

Ballina is all set to welcome women from all over Ireland and beyond to the North Mayo capital for the 14^th Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon on Sunday 30^th April.

The Mini Marathon, one of the flagship events for Mayo Day 2023, and Balilna 2023 s expected to attract over 2,000 participants, along with supporters, families and friends. This year’s mini-marathon celebrates Ballina’s 300^th birthday, and following on from US President Joe Biden’s visit this event promises once again to be a day to remember in Ballina. MC for the day is Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile.

The 10-kilometre run / walk and the 2km Mini Mini event is being co-organised by Mayo Sports Partnership, Western People, Mayo County Council, Ballina Athletic Club, Moy Valley Athletic Club and Ballina 2023 along with the help of approximately 200 volunteers.

T-shirts and Medals

To celebrate Mayo Day 2023, the main sponsor Mayo.ie is giving a specially designed technical t-shirt to the first 1,800 participants . A limited number of places remain, and entry can be done online at www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com. Entry fee is a nominal €25.

Mini-Mini Event

Taking place also on the day immediately after the start of the mini marathon will be the Mini Mini Primary Schools Children’s Fun Run which has grown in popularity with hundreds of school children expected to participate. Entry takes place through national schools, with a limited number of spaces open to the public.

It’s For Girls – Secondary School Participation

As in previous years a special drive to encourage more teenage girls to participate in the event is being promoted through the ‘It’s for Girls’ initiative. Supported by Sport Ireland’s “Women in Sport” programme, all second-level schools in the region are invited to participate in the It’s for Girls Mini Marathon Challenge. It’s for Girls aims to get more girls more physically active.

All secondary school participants can avail of a reduced entry fee of €10 and the girls will receive a finisher’s medal, t-shirt and many more surprises too. Teachers and mentors taking part with the girls can avail of the same entry fee.

Entertainment

With the mini-marathon a little under two weeks away the excitement is building. To capture the festival atmosphere, Market Square will incorporate a stage with music, refreshment kiosks, facepainting etc. The Mini Marathon will commence at 12 Noon followed by the Children’s Run at 12.05pm from Pearse St with the Square open to the public from 10.30am – 5pm.

Sustainability and Leave No Trace

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.

Road Closures

Finally with an event of this nature some temporary road closures will be in operation on Sunday 30^th April and again, the organisers would kindly ask the public to acknowledge these restrictions for the health and safety of all. These are listed below:

• Tone St (R-294) 9am-5pm – from its junction with Teeling St, Pound St to its junction with Pearse St, O’Rahilly St.

• Market Road (L-1131) 9am-5pm – from its junction with Tone St to the junction with Circular Rd, Humbert St

• Pearse St (R298) – 9am–5pm – from its junction with Humbert St to the junction with Tone St, Tolan St. and O’Rahilly St

• Walsh St (L-11311) – 9am -5pm – from its junction with Pearse St (R-928)

• Note that additional restrictions on the route 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 Ballina town arrive early and park in locations to best enjoy the mini marathon and other related events.

For information on any of the above see www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com

For more information on any of the above contact Mayo Sports Partnership by email mayosportspartnership@mayococo.ie  or phone 094-9064360.