Ballina councillors delight in Mini-Marathon success

Ballina councillors want the Mayo.ie Western People Women's Mini-Marathon to be staged annually in the town.

Founded in 2010, the Mini-Marathon was staged in Castlebar up to Covid, but moved to Ballina for 2023 and 2024 before returning to Castlebar last year. It was held in Ballina on Sunday, May 3rd, and attracted record numbers. 

There was warm praise for the event at last week's municipal district meeting with Cllr Annie May Reape noting that it had been a fantastic success.

"We should have it back every year. Everybody is aware of it and all turned out the same as last time, so I think we have to be looking at it for another year.” 

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy, who took part in the event, agreed: “It was fantastic to welcome more than 2,000 participants. It was a brilliant day, and we look forward to welcoming it back to Ballina, hopefully annually.” 

Cllr John O’Hara said: “The marathon is huge to the town and north Mayo and it is great to get it even if only every second year, but if we keep pushing maybe we will get it altogether.” 

Cllr Michael Loftus congratulated all who took part, including staff members from Ballina Municipal District and local public representatives, adding that 1,000 children also ran the 1k event and completed it so quickly that a 3k event should be looked at to increase the fun. 

“As soon as they were gone, they were back again and to see the excitement on their faces and their parents’ faces was heartening. The event was rejuvenated this year and also well done in Castlebar last year. How it works is that Mayo Sports Partnership (MSP) goes out to all areas to see who is interested in hosting it. So I would call on any other councillors in any other district, if they want it, such as in Claremorris or Westport, to come on board and help out. It may not be in Ballina next year, that is a decision by the MSP but we will make our application to see can we get it back to Ballina.” 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Jarlath Munnelly acknowledged “all the work of Mayo Sports Partnership, our members and elected representatives who really put their shoulder to the wheel and put your General Municipal Allocation towards the event, which must be commended”, adding: “That financial support is the difference of whether an event can happen or not and that gave the commitment the town could host the event and indeed do so very well.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.