Vhi Women's Mini Marathon Race Magazine

Don’t miss your name & time inside the Irish Independent on Monday

June 6th in our 48-page official results.

NAME & TIME OF EVERY FINISHER

IIIWelcome to the 2022 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon! This year we’re celebrating our 40th year, and we’re delighted that all our Magic Makers will be joining us to mark this special milestone in our event’s history.

We’re so excited to be returning to the streets of Dublin for this year’s event, and we can’t wait to see everyone in person on the streets of Dublin on June 5th. And for those of you that are taking part virtually, we’ll miss you but we’re happy that you’re still able to take part and enjoy the experience wherever you are.

This year is all about celebrating 40 Years of Women Making Magic, and we have lots of magical things planned for this year’s event. We hope you enjoy!

40 YEARS & STILL GOING STRONG REUNION SQUARED

DUBLIN 10K CHAMPIONSHIP

MEET THE MAGIC MAKERS

OFFICIAL EVENT APP & MEDAL

CAPTURE YOUR RACE DAY MOMENTS!

VHI WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON AMBASSADORS

T-shirt and Vhi Members Reward Vhi about the race Recipe alert!

40 YEARS OF HISTORY by Lindie Naughton

YOU NEVER RUN ALONE Intersport | Elverys

GIVENGAIN CHARITY SHOWCASE

National Breast Cancer Research institute

Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

Aphasia Ireland

Saint James’s Hospital Foundation

WIN! Apple Airpods with GivenGain __________________________

RACE DAY

Zone and Race number

Timing tags

Baggage Safety Info

Race map

Getting to #ASK THE PHYSIO

WIN! An Overnight Stay @The Alex Hotel

98FM DUBLIN’S GOOD TIMES

Keep an eye out for these badges to enter competitions!

FEEL THE FEAR AND RUN WITH IT by Allison Keating

40 YEARS & STILL GOING STRONG!

Among the many thousands who will be hitting the streets of Dublin on June 5th are an exclusive group of very special women – our Original Magic Makers!

These truly awesome women have done the Women’s Mini Marathon every single year and will be taking part in their 40th event at the 2022 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon. Among these women are Maeve Clarke, Margaret Goodwin, Rosemary Halpin, Trish Horgan, Rita Kelly, Mary Lennon, Margaret McBride, Angela McLoughlin, Sheila Merne, Mary O’Colmain, Carol Ormon, Rosemary Phipps, Breda Preston, Perdita Quinlan, Ann Quinn and Ria Stewart.

Check out our video here to meet some of these magic makers.

REUNION

SQUARED IS COMING TO TOWN

For the first time, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is hosting Reunion Squared in Merrion Square park from Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th June.

Anyone who has chosen to collect their race numbers in person will collect them from our new Number Collection centre in the park.

And we have a weekend of fun, entertainment and goodies in store, including Vhi’s Celebration Square, the Asics Blast experience, Cool Down with the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and so much more. The perfect place to chill out and celebrate your achievements after you cross the finish line.

Congratulations to all the women taking part for their 40th year, we think you’re amazing!

Best of luck!

MEET THE MAGIC MAKERS

For the past few weeks, we have been featuring the 2022 Magic Makers on our socials and website.

These super women, from all over the country, are representing their counties with pride at this year’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, and they all have some lovely stories to share. They include Roisin McConnell (Meath), Orla Wallace (Kildare), Nicole Redmond (Dublin) and Niamh Coughlan (Cork) and so many more.

VHI WOMENS’ MINI MARATHON TO HOST DUBLIN 10K CHAMPIONSHIPS

We’re delighted to announce that the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is to host the Dublin Womens 10k Championship for the first time this year.

Participants who register for the 2022 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon and are registered with Dublin athletics clubs can also enter to compete in the Dublin County Championship.

Anyone who is a registered athlete from a Dublin athletics club can compete in the championships, with athletes competing at the level based on their age on event day, Sunday 5th June 2022.

Check out our website here for more details.

We can’t wait to see all our fantastic Magic Makers on June 5th!

OFFICIAL EVENT APP

Everyone taking part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon has exclusive access to our Official Event app this year. You can take a selfie when you’re finished the race, listen to your favourite playlists (including 98FM’s new official playlist), get your friends and family to follow your progress while you’re doing the race and so much more.

And anyone who’s doing the Virtual event can also check out all of these features, as well as using the app to practice and track their 10k.

If you haven’t downloaded your app yet, what are you waiting for! Download today from the App Store (iPhone) and Play Store (Android). Search Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.

INTRODUCING OUR 2022 MEDAL

As you know, this year we celebrate our 40th event, and we want everyone to mark this magic milestone with us!

Every lucky woman who crosses the finish line on Race Day will receive our special commemorative 40-year medal.

And don’t worry, there’s one for everyone – all you have to do is run, walk or jog your way around the 10k course and cross the finish line with a smile on your face!

CAPTURE YOUR RACE DAY MOMENTS

Get your race day photos with Pica! This year Pica will capture photographs of every participant of the race while you’re doing your 10km, and these will be available shortly after you cross the finish line on your phone.

All you have to do is go to www.getpica.com to create your account. Then enter the code which is printed on your race number and check out your photos and share them with your friends.

You can choose to purchase your personal photos, priced at €4.99 for a single image and €16.99 for the gallery of images. Before you decide to purchase, you can check out your photos, and you can purchase them at any time!

Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Ambassadors

Over the course of the last 12 weeks, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon ambassadors Rozanna Purcell ( @rozannapurcell ), Aimee Connolly ( @aimeconnolly_com ), Dearbhla Toal ( @belle_azzure ) and Lorraine Fanneran ( @healthyfitbella_ ) have documented their journey of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon across their social media platforms.

We hope they have helped motivate and inspire you and we are looking forward to seeing you on race day!

VHI PROVIDES STUNNING FINISHER’S T-SHIRTS FOR Women’s

Mini Marathon 40th Anniversary!

Vhi is proud to provide Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon participants with a gorgeous commemorative t-shirt to mark this year’s 40th anniversary of the first event.

Commissioned by Vhi to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first Women’s Mini Marathon which took place in 1983, the stunning twotoned purple and pink tee features the special edition logo of this year’s event.

This t-shirt will be provided on the day as part of the finisher’s pack for all participants, a pack that also includes a special 40th anniversary edition finisher’s medal. The t-shirt is designed to be worn for exercise, so no matter whether you’ve walked, jogged or run the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, this technical t-shirt will help you continue your good habits long beyond race day!

It’s not too late to sign up for this year’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon and ensure you receive your t-shirt to wear with pride for years to come!

www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie to register now!

VHI WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON 2022 VHI MEMBERS’ ENTRY FEE REWARD

For the 5th year running, Vhi are refunding all of their members who register for the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon. Vhi members can use the online claiming tool, ‘Snap & Send’, via the Vhi app to claim their refund from their entry fees, backdated to the 2nd of March 2022 and available until the 31st of December 2022.

In order to receive the refund, download the free Vhi app via the app store and ‘snap’ a photo of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon 2022 entry fee receipt, before clicking ‘send’ using the Snap & Send process in-app.

T&C’s apply. Prices listed do not include post and packaging of €3. Visit the Vhi website for further information.

Vhi on Race Day

Vhi will be supporting you every step of the way on Sunday June 5th and celebrating the achievement of crossing the finish line alongside thousands of other women!

Vhi Motivation Station

Completing 10km is a huge achievement for anyone and a helping hand or friendly cheer is a welcome boost no matter what your level. That’s why the Vhi Motivation Station will be at Nutley Lane to make sure that you can see motivational messages on screen to keep you going and ensure you cross the finish line. To keep the blood racing and hearts pumping, there will also be a DJ at the Vhi Motivation Station encouraging all the amazing Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon participants!

Vhi Celebration Square

Congratulations, you have done it and made it across the finish line and it’s now time to celebrate! Be sure to visit the Vhi Celebration Square to mark the occasion with Vhi Women’s Mini Marathoners as well as family and friends in Merrion Square after the race. Put the feet up, you have earned it!

The Vhi Celebration Square is the ideal place for you to mark the occasion and celebrate completing your 10km. You can chill out and recharge your batteries with complimentary drinks and snacks and listen to a DJ spinning the decks. You can unwind in the Pamper Palace, freshen up in our changing rooms, and share mementoes of your achievements from multiple Instagram-worthy locations!

Belle Azzure’s exercise routines will have you good to go on Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Race Day!

Thousands of you have been following Belle Azzure’s 12 week walking, jogging and running plans to get ready for the road on June 5th, and these easy-to-follow plans have been complemented by Belle’s exercise videos designed to be easily incorporated into your weekly routine.

Belle’s warm-up routine, designed to make sure you’re feeling your best on the starting line, is available now on the @VhiWMM Instagram page, so be sure to incorporate it into your race day routine!

Get your Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Race Day off to the perfect start with this delicious breakfast recipe from Healthy Fit Bella!

recipe alert! BAKED OATS

Prep Times - 5 mins Total Time - 25 mins | Serves 2

THE INGREDIENTS

1 Banana

60g Oats

30g Chia Seeds

150ml Almond Milk

30g Peanut Butter

150g Mixed Berries

TO SERVE

Greek Yogurt/Honey

WHAT TO DO:

• Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees. Lightly coat an oven proof dish with spray oil.

• Mash the banana using a fork in the dish, add in oats, chia seeds, almond milk and stir to combine.

• Mix in peanut butter and pour mixed fruit on top.

• Bake in the oven for 25 mins.

• Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey

40 YEARS OF HISTORY

by Lindie Naughton Journalist and Writer

In early 1983, Frank Slevin and Brian Price had a bright idea. The pair had been involved in organising the Dublin Marathon since 1980, along with other members of the Business Houses Athletics Association, and while studying how big city races were organised, had come across the women only L’eggs Mini Marathon, which took place in the USA.

First held in 1972, at a time when women only road races were unheard of, the mini marathon had evolved into a series of 10 kilometre races for women with three preliminary rounds and then a final in New York City’s Central Park.

By the early 1980s, thousands of women were participating in the races, with around 6,000 alone turning out for the final where they could line out with pioneers of distance running for women such as the legendary Norwegian Grete Waitz. Could Dublin not put on a similar race, Slevin and Price wondered?

With the BHAA membership heavily involved in the marathon, they approached Dundrum Athletics Club as possible race organisers, meeting at the Old Mill pub in Stillorgan. As sponsors they had already managed to sign up Brooks shoes, through the company’s Irish agent, Keith Burns. Now all that was needed was a newspaper which, in those pre-internet days, would be prepared to promote the race and carry an entry form for a number of weeks.

Slevin and Price had estimated that about 2,000 women would enter that first mini marathon. Only the race PRO Amy Garvey predicted an entry of over 6,000.

Slevin and Price had estimated that about 2,000 women would enter that first mini marathon. Only the race PRO Amy Garvey predicted an entry of over 6,000. She was right — a total of 8,565 signed up.

The late Tom O’Shea, then sports editor of the Evening Press, readily agreed to their plan, delegating to Michael Sheridan the job of managing the page. Other Press Group staff would help with the journalism as well as inputting entries and later producing the race results. For the ten weeks before the race, Eddie McDonagh supplied regular training programmes, Yvonne Dolan, an aerobics instructor, wrote about exercises and stretching, Ursula O’Dwyer of the National Dairy Council contributed a column on diet and elite athlete, Louise McGrillen, wrote a column of general advice. Physio Siobhan Treacy also contributed.

Right from the start, in March 1983, the response was overwhelming. All over the country women began gathering to train together, following the example of Yvonne Dolan, who was organising a Sunday morning aerobics session and run in Marlay Park where numbers attending shot up from 200 to 500.

Other groups quickly emerged. Emily Dowling, winner of the first Dublin Marathon in 1980, was injured at the time, and her husband Mick suggested that she start a small women’s training group in Bushy Park. So began the Sportsworld running club. Frances Mansfield, a Clonliffe Harriers stalwart, did likewise near her home in Tallaght. As the details of these groups came through to the Evening

Press office, Tom O’Shea decided to put them in a list under the heading “Meet and Train”. Soon the list had expanded to over fifty Meet and Train groups all over the country, from Killarney in the south to Clare and Galway in the west and Letterkenny in the north. In Dundalk, the late great Joan Brady, a mini marathon all-timer until her death earlier this year, founded the Dundalk Joggers and Walkers, who would travel by the busload to the race each year.

On Sunday12 June 1983, a broiling hot summer’s day, women in running gear came by the busload into Dublin’s city centre. They assembled at St Stephen’s Green for Yvonne Dolan’s warm-up session before leaving tracksuits behind and heading for the start at Earlsfort Terrace. Before the 3pm start, the compere for the day led the women in a rousing rendition of “Molly Malone”, which became a race tradition for many years.

And then they were off — up Harcourt Street, and then into Rathmines, Dartry, Milltown and then down into Donnybrook and back to the finish at St Stephen’s Green South.

Race winner that memorable day, when sweaty women made the RTE news and the front pages of all the newspapers for the right reasons, was Katy Schilly, an American athlete sponsored by Brooks. In second place

was Dundrum AC’s own Carey May, who had flown in from her US base that morning. So delighted was Schilly with her win that she returned a year later, by which time the Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon had become recognised worldwide as the largest women’s only race of its kind.

Behind Schilly that day came thousands of women, most of whom had never run a step before the mini marathon came along, let alone pinned on a number and lined out in a race. For some, like Christine Kennedy, Catherine Smith and, later, Annette Kealy, it was the mini marathon that launched successful running careers. Kennedy, who finished 26th in that first mini marathon with a time of just over 39 minutes, would later become an Irish marathon champion. Others, among them Dundrum South Dublin AC members like Joan Coyle and Rosanna Baker, began a lifetime of involvement in athletics.

Since then, much has changed with the race. After a lull in the late 1980s, charities became more involved, boosting numbers until they reached a record high of over 41,000 in 2014. By that time, the Evening Press was long gone; the Evening Herald had taken over as media sponsor in 1996 and has remained in that role until 2021, with the Irish Independent now on board for this year.

The course has also changed and, following many years heading for Dublin’s southside via Pembroke Road and the Merrion Road, reversed direction in 2017 which means it’s now all downhill after Nutley Lane.

Walkers now make up most of the entry, although the influence of this great event in encouraging women of all ages to get active can never be underestimated. Up front, it’s the dream of every female distance runner in this country to win the Women’s Mini Marathon at least once.

Irish marathon record holder Catherina McKiernan has done a lot better than that with four wins to her credit, while Sonia O’Sullivan’s winning time of 31 minutes 23 seconds from the year 2000, has never been bettered. In 2015, Maria McCambridge’s victory made it a home win for the Dundrum club. Often leading them all home was the wheelchair winner, with Patrice Dockery winning that category for nine years in a row, and her Paralympic team mate Catherine Walsh equally dominant in the visually impaired category.

Most importantly, two generations of women are now aware that women can — and do — run; they are their mothers, aunts, sisters and even grandmothers. They have not only continued to run but have joined athletics clubs and running groups by the thousand and are active at every level in the sport.

Long may they continue!

Vhi Healthcare, the title sponsor in recent years, has played an important role in promoting and supporting an event that continues to inspire women of all ages to get active - and stay active.

MEET SOME OF THE CHARITIES BENEFITTING FROM THIS YEAR’S VHIWMM

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

INSTITUTE

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute was founded in 1991 to fund a comprehensive breast cancer research programme at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Researchers at the university collaborate with other universities and hospitals around the world to develop new diagnostic techniques, improve treatment strategies, and deliver better outcomes for the millions of women worldwide who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. In Ireland, 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes.

The NBCRI relies on the generosity of fundraisers to continue its vital work, and events are a massive source of incoming donations. The charity’s supporters raised over €8,400 at the Vhi Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon in 2020, helped by more than 200 donors.

This year, they’re on course to set an even higher total: NBCRI’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon fundraising campaign on GivenGain already has the backing of 10 brilliant fundraisers, who between them have raised over €5,000! Why not join the team and help them get over the line?

IRISH

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association has been helping people in Ireland with MND since 1 May 1985. At the time, more than 60 people in Ireland were living with MND, and they felt strongly that they needed a support organisation to help break the isolation around people with MND, their families and carers.

Today, the IMNDA is still the only organisation of its kind in the country, but its remit has grown – as has the number of people it works with. On top of providing support and counselling, the charity offers financial assistance towards home help, supplies specialised medical equipment on loan, and arranges home visits from its team of four specialist nurses. It also funds and promotes research into the causes of MND, as well as ground-breaking new treatments – with the ultimate aim of eradicating the disease completely.

Demand for the IMNDA’s services is at an all-time high. Someone on the island of Ireland is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease every two days, and the charity’s service team and nurses now work with more than 400 families. Additionally, helping newly diagnosed people is time-critical: MND can progress very rapidly, so all requests for support have to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

To deliver these services, the IMNDA relies on the generosity of individual fundraisers and donors, whether they give money directly or, better still, rally their networks by fundraising as part of taking part in events like the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.

“The IMNDA relies on our wonderful fundraisers and supporters for 85% of our income,” says Gemma Watts, Head of Fundraising at the charity. “Without you, we simply wouldn’t be able to provide our vital services to those that need them most. Every step ran, walked or jogged makes a difference.”

So far, six fundraisers have signed up to their Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon 2022 fundraising campaign on GivenGain, raising more than €6,000 to date! Could you be the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association’s next Vhi Marathon fundraising hero? Visit their campaign page on GivenGain and click ‘Start fundraising’!

APHASIA IRELAND

Aphasia is a neurological disorder that causes difficulties with reading, writing or speaking, and is often caused by brain injury, brain disease or dementia. In Ireland, around 3,000 people each year are diagnosed with aphasia, but awareness of the condition is low.

Aphasia Ireland was founded to change that. Set up in 2010, it is the only charity in Ireland that focuses solely on aphasia, with the goal of educating the public about the condition and helping people with aphasia, their families and carers to lead more fulfilling lives. The charity also aims to establish a national network of aphasia support groups and to secure funding for research into how prevalent this often hidden condition actually is.

Additionally, Aphasia Ireland’s Helping Hand programme offers speech and language therapy to aphasia sufferers who cannot afford expensive private treatment. The charity asks speech and language therapists to volunteer one session a week.

June, the month of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, is also National Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia Ireland is asking its supporters to lace up their running shoes and start a fundraising project on GivenGain. Could you raise funds to help people with aphasia find their voices again? Visit Aphasia Ireland’s campaign page and start making a difference.

SAINT JAMES’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

The Saint James’s Hospital Foundation is the official charitable foundation of Saint James’s Hospital, Dublin – Ireland’s largest acute academic teaching hospital. Thanks to the generous support of fundraisers and donors, the charity works to purchase equipment, enhance patient comfort and launch special projects at the hospital – and also works with Trinity College Dublin to fund pioneering clinical and laboratory research.

Recently, the Foundation has been focusing on its Cancer Appeal. The campaign aims to raise funds to purchase Ireland’s first Chemotherapy Compounding Robot, a state-of-the-art machine that prepares chemotherapy for patients automatically, freeing up medical staff to spend more time caring for patients directly. Saint James’s Hospital treats more people with cancer than any other hospital in Ireland, and is now working to set up Ireland’s first Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Events are a key part of the Foundation’s fundraising. As well as its own event programme, supporters take part in events around the world to raise money for the hospital as a whole or causes close to their hearts – and the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is a highlight every year.

“The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is a very special event for us – nothing beats the very special atmosphere of Dublin City on Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon day,” said Laura Saunders, the Marketing & Communications Manager for the charity. “Some of our supporters have been taking part in the race for many years and we are delighted to have a team of inspiring women take part in the 40 year celebration this year.

We have brave patients who are taking on the 10km challenge despite a lifechanging diagnosis. We have survivors who have fought and won. We have family members and friends who are running to support their loved ones and those taking part to remember a loved one who has sadly passed away. These women are all amazing and we are deeply grateful for their support of St James’s Hospital. We must also say a big thank you to all the St James’s Hospital staff members who are running to support their departments.”

So far this year, 23 fundraisers have set up Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon fundraising projects on GivenGain for the Saint James’s Hospital Trust, and they’ve raised over €4,200 between them. If you’d like to join the fight against cancer, you can start your own project from their campaign page in just a few clicks.

ENTER NOW

To celebrate National Running Day on 1 June, GivenGain will be giving away a pair of Apple AirPods to the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon runner who’s raised the most money for charity via GivenGain.

Whoever is on top of the event’s official fundraising leaderboard as of 5pm (IST) on Wednesday 1 June will receive this exciting prize

Don’t delay – keep asking your friends and family for donations to your project!

ZONES AND RACE NUMBER INFORMATION

Check out our website here for details of what times each wave must be in place.

RACE NUMBER TIMING TAGS

All entrants will have a timing tag embedded in their race number. Numbers should NOT be covered with clothing, belts, rain jackets etc.

Use safety pins to attach your number to the FRONT of your t-shirt. Enter your CONTACT DETAILS and MEDICAL INFORMATION on the reverse of your race number.

BAGGAGE

Belongings can be left at the bag drop at Merrion Square South before the race commences. Please bring your own clear reusable bag for your belongings. These are left entirely at owner’s risk.

SAFETY INFORMATION

To help ensure that all participants have a safe and enjoyable day at the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, please follow our guidelines:

• All bags being carried on the course must be no larger than A4 size and may be subject to search. No large bags, backpacks or suitcases will be allowed at the event.

• Always be aware of your surroundings and your nearest exit routes.

• We strongly advise against the wearing of earphones during the race as this can cause difficulties in hearing important safety announcements.

• Always make sure that the laces on your shoes are tied properly so you do not trip and fall.

• Take note of the terrain you are standing on in case it is wet, slippery or hazardous in any way.

• Participants are not permitted to bring banners, flags or any other similar items to the race. Any signs will be confiscated for the duration of the race.

• Sweatshirts, t-shirts, space blankets and refuse sacks are often discarded before the race and during the race and can create a tripping hazard. If you are discarding items of clothing or such like, please ensure they will not cause a problem for other participants.

• Do not climb on any temporary surfaces or barriers etc.

• No buggies, pushchairs, prams, scooters, motorised vehicles, motorised devices, bay slings, baby carriers or dogs/pets of any kind are permitted on the physical course for health and safety reasons.

• Please ensure you drink plenty of water before and during the race to stay hydrated (see course map for water station locations).

• Please make sure you are adequately equipped for the weather and have enough water and sunscreen.

• By the direction of An Garda Siochana, the use of bicycles, other than official bicycles, on the course during the event is strictly forbidden.

• There are Order of Malta First Aid stations located along the route – see course route map.

GETTING TO THE VHI WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON

We strongly recommend that participants use public transport. You can find a list of the road closures here.

LUAS

DART

Check out Dublinbus.ie

Check out Luas.ie for updates to Luas services. Closest Luas stop is St. Stephen’s Green

PARKING

Check out Irishrail.ie. Closest DART stop is Pearse St Station

BIKE

Check out DublinBikes.ie

CAR

There will be restricted car parking around Dublin City Centre. Parking on the street will incur no fee, but bear in mind road closures might push you further out from the city. So you will need to allow adequate time to walk to reach the start line.

Accessible parking for badge holders - Accessible Parking Locations Dublin City Centre | Dublin City Council

Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon has secured exclusive discounted parking rates for VhiWMM participants and spectators on the day with Q Park. Pre-book online and use the code WMM25 for a 25% discount in Q-Parks Dublin carparks. Find out more here

Multi-story car parks in city locations run by Dublin City Council. Please check location before choosing your car park based.

WATER STATIONS

START/FINISH: Water will be available at the Start and Finish areas. You can bring a bottle of water with you if you feel you may require more water. If you are discarding your bottle, please use one of the bins provided.

Water stations on the course are:

AFTER 3km: On the Stillorgan Road, near the Teresian School. At 6km: On the Stillorgan Road, near Belfield Bridge. At 8km: Outside former AIB Bankcentre HQ.

ENVIRONMENT

Please dispose of your cups and bottles in the bins provided. We’re delighted to confirm that this year all cups provided in the Start & Finish areas are compostable, and the cups on the course are recyclable.

#ASK THE PHYSIO

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists is delighted to be involved with the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon again this year. As experts in helping people prevent and resolve injuries this event is a perfect fit. We are delighted to be able to give information that can help you optimise your body. With thousands of women participating, we are also keen to share our knowledge about issues relating to Women’s Health that can help you stay active and comfortable in your skin.

Pain Management

AskthePhysio.ie/Back-Pain

AskthePhysio.ie/Knee-Pain

AskthePhysio.ie/Elbow-Joint

AskthePhysio.ie/Neck-Pain

AskthePhysio.ie/Foot

AskthePhysio.ie/Muscle-and-Joint-Pain

AskthePhysio.ie/Hip-Joint

AskthePhysio.ie/Shoulder-Pain

Managing Conditions

AskthePhysio.ie/Arthritis

AskthePhysio.ie/Bowel-and-Bladder-Health

AskthePhysio.ie/Cancer

AskthePhysio.ie/Dizziness-and-Vertigo

AskthePhysio.ie/Heart-Health

AskthePhysio.ie/Lung-Health

AskthePhysio.ie/Multiple-Sclerosis-MS

AskthePhysio.ie/Stroke

BODY, MOVEMENT AND MOBILITY EXPERTS

Did you know that Physiotherapists can treat more than musculoskeletal issues such as injuries or pains in your legs, neck and shoulders? Physiotherapists extend their care to chronic health impacts, like heart disease and diabetes, breathing and lesser-known pelvic floor issues. They are also experts in helping to reduce the high number of health and safety issues associated with working both in labour intensive industries and those working from home. They are health professionals who help you increase mobility and movement across your life journey, so you feel good in your body.

WHY CHOOSE A CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST?

A Chartered Physiotherapist is a university graduate with hospital-based training who has comprehensive knowledge of how the body works, along with specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of muscle and joint pain.

When you choose a physiotherapist who is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP), you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that they are a part of Ireland’s only professional body within its field. It is your guarantee that they have been trained to the highest academic and professional standards – and also that they continue to keep abreast of emerging trends and developments through a programme of Continuous Professional Development.

Chartered Physiotherapists are autonomous practitioners, which means that you can directly access their services and refer yourself for treatment. To access treatment within the public system you can ask your doctor for a referral. You can find a list of registered Chartered Physiotherapists near you on the AskthePhysio.ie website.

CARING FOR YOUR BODY

We have built a great resource with advice and helpful guides on how to optimise your body and health. www.AskthePhysio.ie can help you if you are suffering from injuries or have a health condition.

We look forward to seeing you on race day! Look out for us at the finish line where we will be offering care to those who need it on the day.

AskthePhysio.ie/Parkinsons-Disease

AskthePhysio.ie/Long-Covid

Women’s Health

There are some issues that affect women throughout their different life stages and physio can help!

AskthePhysio.ie/Motherhood

Maximising your wellbeing

Maximise you potential to live a happy and healthy life. Physio can help you achieve this.

AskthePhysio.ie/Physical-Activity

AskthePhysio.ie/Sports-Injuries

AskthePhysio.ie/Working-From-Home

AskthePhysio.ie/Stress-Management

AskthePhysio.ie/Workplace-Health

AskthePhysio.ie/Infants-and-Children

AskthePhysio.ie/Ageing-Well

AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN THE ALEX HOTEL IN DUBLIN

We’ve partnered with the fabulous @thealexdublin to offer one of our lucky supporters the chance to win an overnight stay for two in The Alex with breakfast included (subject to availability).

To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize, all you need to do is answer the following question:

What anniversary is the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon celebrating this year?

Send your name and answer to: info@vhiwomensminimarathon.ie by Friday 10th June, and mark it COMPETITION.

A winner will be chosen at random after the closing date, and will be notified by email. Check out our website for competition terms and conditions.

We’re all about Dublin’s Good Times here at 98FM and what is more of a good time than thousands of women from across Ireland running the streets of Dublin! This June Bank Holiday, the world famous Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon takes place for its 40th year.

98FM are delighted to be Official Radio Partner for the event for the first time. Dublin’s streets have been lonely the past two years in the absence of the event and we’re super excited to be involved for its return in 2022.

98FM will be getting you all ready for the race and we’re inviting you to get involved and tell us what YOU think the start line song should be! Tune in to 98FM’s Big Breakfast from May 23rd when we will be asking for all your Good Times Start Line Song suggestions!

We also have our own exclusive 98FM Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon playlist on the 98FM app which is ready and waiting to give you some Good Time Anthems to get you up, out and training for the 10k. You’ll also find our playlist on the Official Event app too, so check it out!

98FM will be bringing the Good Times to the Mini Marathon with none other than Dame Stuffy herself. Dame Stuffy, Panto Queen and Last Singer Standing finalist, will be at the start line with a fun warm up to get you all going. She’ll be playing the tunes and bringing the craic to start your Mini Marathon off right! 98FM weekday presenter, Leanne Hanafin will join you later on in the course where she will play some Dublin’s Good Time anthems to keep the energy up halfway!

Not to mention the 98FM Thunders will be there with the famous Thunderbus all day to cheer you all on and join in on the fun – they may even have a goody or two for you.

We’re excited to make some memories with all of you at this year’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon and we hope that you will join us in celebrating on the day. Here’s to another 40 years!

Feel the fear AND RUN WITH IT

For many taking part in the 2022 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon on June 5, it will be their first mass event since the arrival of Covid. Irish Independent columnist and psychologist Allison Keating has some advice for those who are feeling anxious.

We are living in anxious times. For some the anxiety has passed or barely registered, but for others it was significant. What we need to realise is the anxiety many of us felt was a normal reactive response to an abnormal experience. It is also normal to feel not very surefooted right now as we try to go back to ‘normal’. After all, we didn’t think of large groups of people or crowds like this before Covid came along. It’s hard to see things the same as they were BC (before Covid) because this isn’t the new normal — it’s different, and we’re different. The trick is to figure out how to acclimatise back to what feels right for you, with some gentle guiding prods to move forward.

Covid brought uncertainty, and uncertainly always comes with a solid entourage of anxiety. The big question is ‘ok, so what do we do next?’ The answer is we nudge, one step at a time, towards a new challenge. We allow and embrace worries and concerns and take calculated risks. One of the best tools taken away from mental health practitioners during the pandemic was the recommendation of social connection.

That connection can come through participating, belonging and being part of something bigger than yourself. Many Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon participants run for charities very close to their hearts, and there’s a tangible sense of us all being in this together. However, this time it’s not a virtual concept, but in person — lots of persons!

What is within your control is how you now choose to react and by inserting a reflective pause you can choose how you want to respond. I can remember wearing a mask to the supermarket for the first time, just before it became mandatory, and I felt so selfconscious. With amazing speed, my leaving-the-house routine quickly changed to mask, keys, wallet, phone. When I stepped into the supermarket without my mask last March, it felt both good and strange, and that’s fine. By noticing how your thoughts are impacting your mood, it can bring more of a sense of personal autonomy. You could go one step further and ask these few questions surrounding any concerns or worries you have:

• Is this thought true?

• Is it a fact or an opinion?

• Is this thought helpful?

• What is within my control and what one thing can I do now to make this better?

Before answering these questions, take a breath in for four, hold for four and release for four.

Letting your thoughts run away from you is easy — most of us have lots of practice with it. Being in a chronic heightened state of arousal from be ing in a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode is something you need to actively engage with to bring down stress hormones like cortisol.

then you start again. That might mean going to bed a bit earlier, taking a rest when you need to or identifying what blocker or resistance is coming up for you, all through the prism of self-compassion.

Scheduling exercise is the gold standard in achieving your goal and is the way to go.

There is no magic motivation — it doesn’t exist. Even professional athletes have to pull themselves out of bed on dark and wet Sunday mornings or drag themselves off the couch when nothing feels less attractive than going for a run. Be human and normal about your training and realise you will not feel like Rocky all the time. Celebrate the days when you get into your flow and feel strong — these are the moments to bank and pull out on the wet morning when you need to push yourself out the door.

I am going to re-iterate this: there is no magic to motivation. Motivation is a drive, and you need to develop not just your physical endurance but also your mental agility to tolerate not wanting to do it and doing it anyway. This isn’t harsh, it is true.

Exercise and training is a future investment in healthy modelling, which has a positive influence upon those around you. Showing you prioritise your health and you make and take time for yourself has a multiplier effect on creating good health rituals and boundaries within a family, if you are in a family.

Sitting with things that are at first a bit uncomfortable is good for us, as it builds our tolerance — specifically, our distress tolerance. A great word to keep you moving forward is to remember ‘and’ — you can feel happy to be getting back to a bit of normality ‘and’ you can feel unsure and uncertain. It’s ok to have both emotions at the same time.

As people adjust to the new cognitive Covid pivot, it’s ok if it has your head in a bit of a spin. It might be helpful to even ask yourself what it is about going back to doing things we used to do — like being in large groups like the mini marathon — that feels alien, strange and uncomfortable for you.

If you did the mini marathon before Covid, there was often a joyous buzz as people prepared to do it by themselves or with friends — the fact that 25,480 people took part in 2019 might not have even entered your thoughts before. You can be sure you are hyperaware of the amount of people now; we have been number crunching for two years now, taking in daily Covid figures, world figures, how many in hospital — these numbers mattered and impacted your everyday life.

If this is your first mini marathon, or you are a seasoned pro, break it all down over the remaining weeks. Start with the end in mind and work back day by day, in terms of training days and rest days.

I don’t believe the idea that once you do something for 28 days, it creates an indefinite new habit — you create and reinforce habits by your daily actions and thoughts. If you want to achieve anything substantial in life, it will take work, time, sweat (some tears) and more work. This is the kernel of truth in terms of reaching your goals, and you need to be very specific on what the goals are, how you will achieve them, and you need to build in days when it won’t go to plan. On those days you recalibrate and figure out with what is going on for you, what you need and how you will go about meeting those needs — and

This isn’t a new normal — nothing about what has been experienced was normal. It’s helpful to remember that one of your best human strengths is your adaptive capabilities and psychological flexibility, which is something I’d add to your warmup routine for this event.

Good luck on june 5!

Walking and running are a great antidote for this, and research proves consistent, regular exercise is one of the pillars of health.