Ballina is well prepared to welcome women from all over Ireland and beyond to the North Mayo capital for the 14th Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon to take place on Sunday 30th April. The Mini Marathon, one of the flagship events around Mayo Day 2023 and Ballina 2023, is expected to attract over 2,000 participants, supporters, family, friends etc. This year’s mini marathon celebrates Ballina’s 300th birthday and following on from US President Joe Biden’s visit, this event 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 Mayo Sports Partnership, Western People, Mayo County Council, Ballina and Moy Valley Athletic Clubs, Ballina 2023 along with the help of 200 or so volunteers. To celebrate Mayo Day 2023 main sponsor Mayo.ie are giving a specially designed technical t-shirt to the first 1800 participants. There is a limited number of places still available and entry can be done online at www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com Entry fee is a nominal €25.
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. As per previous years, 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 Irelands “Women in Sport” programme, all second level schools in the region are invited to participate in the “Its for Girls” Mini Marathon Challenge. “It’s 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 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, face-painting 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.
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 30th 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone at 094-9064360.
