Children's event is now a big part of the West of Ireland Mini-Marathon

Preparations are continuing to gather pace for the 2024 Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon, which will take place in Ballina on Sunday, May 5.

The 15th edition of the event, which is the largest all-female race outside Dublin, is taking place in the town again under the stewardship of Mayo Sports Partnership, 12 months after it was such a success in Ballina during the town’s 300th anniversary celebrations.

This very popular Mini-Mini Children’s Fun Run has been a part of the Mini-Marathon since the very beginning, and it is a fun run in every sense of the phrase with inclusion and participation being the cornerstones of the event. Supported by Healthy Mayo, primary school children of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to take part in the 2km run, which will run alongside the main event at 12 noon on the main streets of the town.

The inclusive, non-competitive event evolved from the main competition over the years and has helped to make the Mini-Marathon one of the best family-friendly occasions in the West of Ireland. More than 1,000 children participated in the Mini-Mini last year as Daniel Gallagher, from the Quay NS, was first over the finish line, zipping past and throwing his arms up in victory.

This year, the Mini-Mini will take to the streets of Ballina for a second year and it promises to be a spectacular sight as hundreds of youngsters dash through the streets of the town. The Mini-Mini has grown in number year-on-year, and organisers are keen for this year’s event, which is being held in conjunction with Healthy Mayo, to be the biggest and best yet. Every primary school in the county will receive information on how to register their classes and the event is expected to sell out quickly.

Healthy Mayo forms part of the Healthy Ireland network, which is a government-led initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of Irish society and where well-being is valued and supported at all levels of society.

Promoting physical activity and keeping active is a priority theme for Healthy Ireland. Being physically active is beneficial for both your physical and your mental health and well-being.

It can help you deal with anxiety and stress and children need to be active every day. All activity, no matter how short, counts. Keeping children active helps them to build strong muscles, healthy bones, agility and co-ordination, while improving self-esteem, mood, energy and sleep patterns. The National Physical Activity guidelines recommend 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity five days a week, and the Mini-Mini Fun Run provides the perfect platform to increase the percentage of children reaching the recommended guidelines.

Elmer Pieterse, Healthy Mayo Coordinator, said: “Healthy Mayo is delighted to partner with the Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini Marathon to deliver the Mini-Mini Fun Run for kids. In doing so, we are providing the opportunity for children to be more physical active and ultimately improve health and well-being. 

“We would like to take this opportunity to invite all children from across the county to sign up to the Mini-Mini Fun Run and be part of the fun and excitement. We would also like to encourage schools and parents to take up the challenge and we are looking forward to seeing all of you in Ballina on the May Bank Holiday weekend.”   

The family ethos is an integral part of the West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon. The Mini-Mini is not just open to children - family members, parents, grandparents, neighbours or friends, are free to take part.

Registration for the Mini Mini is now open. Children are encouraged in the first instance to sign up through their schools, however individuals can register online by visiting www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com.

Registration also continues apace for the main 10km event, and the ‘It’s For Girls’ 10km participation event which is priced at just €10.