Charity meeting point to return for 2025 The Echo Mini Marathon

Preparations are well underway for The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, September 21.

The annual event is hosted by Cork Athletics.

Each year, thousands of people from across Cork take part in the race and in doing so, raise in the region of €1.5 million for charities.

Last year, organisers created a special charity meeting point where participants from various groups could meet on the morning of the race before it began, and where charities could showcase their activities.

They have now confirmed that they plan to host a charity meeting point again this year- details of this will be revealed shortly.

“The race is now in its 44th year and always supported by The Echo as title sponsors,” said Ken Smyth from the organising committee.

“Over that time, the race has changed from just another athletics event into something quite different. It has become nearly a key event on the calendar of annual major events in the city. There is a place for everyone on the day. We’ve had an Irish international athlete winning the race, followed home by a young lady on crutches as the final competitor. That young lady worked every bit as hard to cover the distance as the elite athlete. Whether a runner, jogger or walker, you will be most welcome on the day.”

One of the charities that has benefited from The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon over the years is the Mercy Hospital Foundation.

“ The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon has been an important event for the Mercy Hospital Foundation for many, many years, with hundreds of people having taken part, raising funds for the Mercy Hospital Foundation,” said Louise O’Brien, fundraiser with the Mercy Hospital Foundation.

“We are committed to providing the best support possible for patients across Cork and beyond, and the support from fundraisers and anyone who gets involved makes a monumental difference to those in need. It helps to change lives, and it helps to save lives.

“Thanks to donors supporting the Mercy Foundation at events like the Mini Marathon we have been able to support patients at our Cancer Care Centre, which opened last year, as well as purchase life-saving equipment, refurbish areas of the hospital, create patient support groups, fund patient information booklets, support research, provide assistance to patients who may find themselves in short-term financial difficulty due to illness, and much more,” she added.

Registration for the event is now open at https://www.echolive.ie/minimarathon/.