Cork friends did their 31st The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon together

WHILE we were scanning the hundreds of pictures taken by our photographers at The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon, last Sunday – one in particular stood out.

The caption read, ‘Betty Boyce and Teresa Quirke from Rathcormac participating in their 31st Echo Mini Marathon on behalf of Aid Cancer Treatment (A.C.T).’

The event has been running for 42 years. So, having taken part in the mini marathon for 31 of those, is pretty impressive!

So what has inspired these two women to take part in the mini marathon for three decades? We just had to find out.

We picked up the phone to chat to Betty, who told us about the women’s lengthy friendship.

“We have been friends a long time,” she said.

The duo became pals when their children, who are close in age, went to the local primary school in Rathcormac.

Betty is mum to three children and three grandchildren, while Teresa also has three children.

When they first got involved in the mini marathon, 31 years ago, Betty said race day was a chance for a ‘day off’, when the kids were small. But then it grew into so much more – supporting a very worthy cause.

They picked Aid Cancer Treatment as their chosen charity, as cancer is something that has touched so many people’s lives.

Betty said her own father was diagnosed with bowel cancer and thankfully didn’t require treatment, as it was caught in time, and she is very grateful for that fact. This is what inspired her to support A.C.T.

It is such a good cause.

She said they had been given a tour of the new state of the art facilities at CUH.

“What we raise towards that is a drop in the ocen, but every little bit helps,” said Betty.

Have they seen many changes at the mini marathon over the years?

One obvious one, says Betty is more men taking part! Something we noticed too this year - with men clad in some spectacular outfits.

She has also seen the numbers of beneficial charities swell.

There have been so many worthy causes too, reading all their t-shirts, there are so many deserving causes.

She loves the atmosphere of race day. But her daily walk is as important to her too. She brings her little dog with her.

“I really enjoy it. You can’t beat it. You can leave the house and go for a walk, pull on your runners and just go, it is the best medicine.”

She is happy that she and Teresa have their health and are able to do the walk every year together.

We are delighted to be able to do the mini marathon, that we can do it, we are able to do it.

She said she enjoyed the new format of the race, the new route, and “the weather was kind to us too”.

As to next year, do they hope to take part?

“Please God, we’ll be there again,” said Betty.

About Aid Cancer Treatment

A.C.T marks its 40th anniversary this year. Aid Cancer Treatment is a registered charity founded in 1983 and is a completely independent body whose members give their time voluntarily, thus every penny raised is spent to improve the facilities and services for Cancer Patients in Cork University Hospital.

On November 12, A.C.T will be hosting their Bluebell lunch to mark their 40th anniversary. Tickets are €50. Raffle tickets are being sold separately on the day. If you would like to purchase your tickets, contact info@aidcancertreatment.ie or phone 087 2351902 or 087 2364363.

Over the past 40 years, Aid Cancer Treatment has raised approximately €6 to €7 million for the Cork University Hospital and is continuing to raise funds to invest in new developments for cancer services provision in the Cork University Hospital.

See https://aidcancertreatment.ie/ for more

Don’t forget to check out our race supplement in paper today, for more photographs.