After a two year break Castlebar is one again getting all geared up to welcome women from all over Ireland and beyond to the Mayo capital for the Mayo.ie-Western People-West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon this Sunday, May 1.
The Mini Marathon, one of the flagship events around Mayo Day 2022, 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 Mini Mini Primary Schools Children’s Fun Run which has grown in popularity, with hundreds of school children and parents participating. This year’s mini marathon celebrates the return of this fantastic showcase event for women's participation in sport and promises once again to be a day to remember.
The 10-kilometre run / walk and the 2km Mini Mini event is being co-organised by the Western People, Mayo Sports Partnership and Mayo County Council. To celebrate Mayo Day 2022 main sponsor Mayo.ie are giving a specially designed technical t-shirt to all participants who had entered the event by Wednesday, April 27 last. All participants will receive the aforementioned t-shirt and a specially commissioned finishers medal, entry fee is just €25 and participants can enter online at www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com or by filling out the entry form in the Western People and posting to Mayo Sports Partnership, Mayo County Council, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
As part of Mayo Sports Partnerships ‘Girls Active’ campaign 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” programme, all second level schools in the region are invited to participate in the Its for Girls Mini Marathon Challenge. “Its for Girls” aims to get more girls more physically active, all participants have reduced entry of €10 and the girls will receive a finishers medal, 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 almost upon us the anticipation is building. To capture the festival atmosphere, the Mall will incorporate a stage with music, refreshment zone, children’s facepainting, cartoon characters 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, May 1 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 and 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.
You can register in person by calling into Mayo Sports Partnership offices, Mayo House, Moneen, Castlebar, today, Friday, April 29 from 10am to 4pm and Saturday, April 30 from 10am to 1pm
For more information on any of the above contact Mayo Sports Partnership on (094 ) 9064360 or [email protected].
