Nostalgia: Mini Marathon always brings out the best in us

Sat, 16 Sep, 2023 - 15:00

Elaine Whelan

THE Echo Women’s Mini Marathon is fast approaching, with Cork set to get on their marks, get set, and go tomorrow.

This year’s event will also include a new distance of 5km, a new route, and a new starting time of 12pm.

Then Lord Mayor of Cork Damian Wallace wishes some of the competitors good luck before the start of the race in 1997. Picture: Mark Kelleher

Despite a number of new elements being introduced for this year’s edition, The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon is anything but new, having welcomed thousands of runners and walkers for more than 40 years.

Competitors taking part in the Evening Echo in association in 2004. Pic: Brian Lougheed

Delving into The Echo’s archives shows the host of athletes and non-athletes alike that have taken part over the years.

The Women’s Mini Marathon has always had a philanthropic element, with many participants taking on the 5k for well-deserving charities.

This photograph on the right from the 2008 event shows friends who took part in the Echo Mini Marathon to raise enough money to employ a speech therapist for children with Down syndrome in the Cork area.

'Pussycat' participants in the Evening Echo Mini Marathon in 2005.

Friends, family, colleagues, and communities come together every September to support each other and their chosen charities as they race around Cork.

A 2009 snap shows staff members of SuperValu Togher who participated in the Echo Mini-Marathon.

The article reports that the group had been doing the marathon for the previous number of years for different charities, and had raised thousands each year.

Smiles for The Echo Mini Marathon, 2006.

Doubling up as the Women’s 5k County Championship, between 4,000 and 5,000 people are expected to turn up tomorrow for an event that will be filled with high spirits.