Mayo Sports Partnership
Excitement Builds
By Mayo Sports Partnership
22, Apr 2015 - 08:50

Sonia O Sullivan returns to the Wests Premier Sporting Event for Women

Castlebar is getting all geared up to welcome women from all over Ireland and beyond to the Mayo capital for the 6th Western People West of Ireland Women's Mini-Marathon on Sunday 3rd May. The event is expected to attract large numbers of participants, supporters, family, friends etc. Event organisers are delighted that Sonia O Sullivan has announced her intention to return to Castlebar to lend her support to the largest event for women in the West of Ireland. Sonia in particular is encouraging primary school children across the region to participate in the 2nd Primary Schools Mini Mini Run.

The 10-kilometre run / walk and the 1km Mini Mini event is being co-organised by the Western People and Mayo Sports Partnership. Main sponsor is Connaught Gold and this year Mayo County Council is collaborating with Mayo County Councils Mayo Day initiative which will bring extra colour and atmosphere to the occasion. To celebrate Mayo Day 2015 Mayo.ie are giving a specially designed technical t-shirt to the first 1000 individual entrants of the Mini Marathon online www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com or those who register offline by filling out the entry form in the Western People and posting to Mayo Sports Partnership, Mayo County Council, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Other partners include Castlebar Municipal District, the Mayo Athletics Community, Castlebar Town Band, Crimlin Bata Fada Samba Band, local clubs & organizations along with the local business community.

While the presence of elite runners is sure to provide the race with a strong competitive element, central to the Women's Mini-Marathon will be the opportunity for all West of Ireland charities to raise much needed funds for their respective organisations.

Speaking about the upcoming event Western People Editor James Laffey said: " We in the Western People are delighted to continue our support for the biggest womens only event in the west of Ireland. With the co-operation of our co-organisers Mayo Sports Partnership it promises to be a day to remember".

"The event also presents a wonderful opportunity for local charities to raise vital funds" he added.

Now firmly established as the premier event of its kind in the west the arrival of so many runners, walkers and their families /supporters to Castlebar is sure to boost the local economy.

"Its fantastic to see the increase in womens participation in sport and physical activity in recent years. In fact local research just received indicates that 49% of women in Mayo exercise regularly compared to 47% of men. The mini marathon I believe has been one of the key initiatives to this phenomenal growth " said Mayo Sports Partnership Co-ordinator Charlie Lambert.

With the mini-marathon a little under two weeks away the excitement is building. To capture the festival atmosphere the Mall, will incorporate a stage with music, refreshment zone, childrens activity area etc. The Mini Marathon will commence at 12 Noon followed by the Childrens Run at 12.05pm from the Courthouse with the Mall open to the public from 10.30am - 4pm.

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 3rd May 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
Main Street 12.15- 2.30pm

If residents, businesses etc along the route would like to decorate their houses / premises for the event the Sports Partnership can assist by supplying some bunting, balloons etc. For more information contact Mayo Sports Partnership at 094-9047025.