Tipperary Mini Marathon

2012 Tipperary Women’s Mini Marathon - A Resounding Success in Thurles (European Town of Sport for 2012)

The forecasted rain arrived at 10.30am just as the warm up with Thurles Leisure Centre fitness instructors Maria and Serena was about to start in the grounds of LIT Tipperary, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the 1,246 women who had entered the 2012 Tipperary Women’s Mini Marathon organised by North Tipperary Sports Partnership and South Tipperary Sports Partnership, and supported each year by the Irish Sports Council.  As the Moycarkey Pipe Band gallantly led the participants up the Jimmy Doyle road to the Start Arch the rain cleared away, and thankfully stayed away for the rest of the day.

Catherina McKiernan addressed the crowd just before the Start, saying how delighted she was to be back in Tipperary for her second Tipperary Women’s Mini Marathon, and wished everybody the best of luck. Mayor of Thurles Cllr Michael Cleary then welcomed everyone to Thurles and Mayor of South Tipperary County Council Cllr John Crosse also addressed the participants.
The first runner back to enter the grounds of LIT Tipperary was Nenagh’s Siobhan Doherty, in a chip time of 35.51 followed very quickly by Catherina McKiernan in a chip time of 36.14. Third place went to Clonmel AC’s Angela McCann (37.58) Fourth was Claire Annan (39.47). Fifth was Aine Roche (41.00) and sixth was Marie Fitzgibbon (41.06). All commented that the route was very fair and much less hilly than the 2010 route in Thurles!

All the participants between runners and walkers were back in a time under 2 hours and 5 mins, which is faster than previous years perhaps an indicator of the success of the Meet and Train groups around the County.
The local Thurles Meet and Train group had a huge number of participants taking part on Sunday, and were very striking in their yellow NTSP tee shirts. This Meet and Train group was set up by the North Tipperary Sports Partnership (NTSP) in February 2012, in partnership with Thurles Crokes AC with the aim of increasing the numbers of women jogging, running and getting fit in the Thurles area.
This was the first ever Mini Marathon for Thurles lady Marguerite Hayes aged 52, who trains with this Thurles group and she commented ‘There was an absolutely cracking atmosphere at the event, and it was just great to be a part of it. From the send-off to the finish line, it was just thoroughly enjoyable and I can’t thank all the organisers and the volunteers enough. I was delighted to finish with my training partner Maeve McKevitt in a time of 57.03. Thanks also to Marion Hughes who trains our group week in week out and to the North Tipperary Sports Partnership for their constant support. I’m looking out for my next 10k now’.

Carol O'Donovan from the Canon Hayes Meet &Train Group in Tipperary town also completed her first ever mini marathon in a time of 1.13.48.   'I am delighted to have completed my first 10k and it was not as gruelling as I expected, as a first time participant I would highly recommend it, since I started training for the mini marathon, I feel better, toned up and lost 8lbs. It wasn't as daunting as I expected and I am so looking forward to doing my next 10k, thanks to the STSP for the support, Ruairi Davitt and the meet n train in Tipperary Town'.
The 2012 Tipperary Mini Marathon was supported by a groundswell of local businesses and civic organisations. There was huge praise for the superb organisation and months of careful preparation from the hard working committee who were led by Elaine Cullinan and Valerie Connolly of NTSP and STSP. The organising committee included representatives from both Sports Partnerships, Thurles Town Council, LIT Tipperary, Thurles Gardaí, Tipperary County Athletics, Thurles Crokes AC, Tipp FM and North Tipperary Civil Defence.

Elaine Cullinan, NTSP commented ‘From an organiser’s point of view we are delighted with how the event went today. Every single participant from a 35min finish time to a 2 hour finishing time is leaving with a smile on their face and having had an excellent experience. A big thank you to the town of Thurles for really getting behind the event and to our many sponsors who gave so generously, Tom Harvey Motor Company Ltd, who provided the Lead Car, and provided the water and refreshments needed for the event.  Thurles Fresh Milk provided all the milk at the finish line, as well as generously providing a sponsorship donation and Thurles European Town of Sport Committee also provided sponsorship. A host of local businesses provided items for the goody bags and spot prizes, and these are all listed on our website www.tippminimarathon.ie
All results and photographs will be posted on this website very shortly. Thanks again to one and all who contributed to the biggest and most successful Tipp Mini Marathon we have had to date, and how fitting that Thurles is also the first Irish town to be designated a European Town of Sport for 2012.’

Valerie Connolly, STSP thanked all the Volunteers who helped out saying "Volunteers are essential for any successful event. Without the 70 people who volunteered, this wouldn't have been the great success it is today. We are delighted with the numbers of women who participated this year, and with the success of the many Meet and Train groups around the county, that have all fed into this event in huge numbers. For further details on these groups in North and South Tipperary check out www.ntsp.ie and www.stsp.ie”.

2012 Tipperary Women’s Mini Marathon in Thurles launched by Minister Michael Ring TD

North Tipperary Sports Partnership and South Tipperary Sports Partnership are delighted to announce that the Tipperary Women’s Mini Marathon returns to Thurles on Sunday 30th September at 11am. Now in its third year this 10k Mini Marathon has grown from strength to strength since the inaugural event in Thurles in 2010.

Minister Michael Ring TD recently launched the 2012 event for Thurles, with members of North Tipperary Sports Partnership, South Tipperary Sports Partnership and John Treacy CEO, Irish Sports Council. Minister Ring commented that he was delighted to be associated with the event, which was a wonderful example of the work of the Sports Partnerships making sport accessible to all and encouraging participation in sport by all.

Elaine Cullinan, Co-ordinator, North Tipperary Sports Partnership commented ‘As always this event is open to runners, walkers and joggers of all abilities and mobility.
2012 is a special year for Thurles as it is the first town in Ireland to be designated a ‘European Town of Sport’ so why not take the opportunity to get involved by taking part in the 2012 Tipperary Women’s Mini Marathon. We have worked closely with Thurles Gardai in devising a new route around Thurles, which is very fair and very flat, and showcases the town as much as possible, while cutting out the hills from 2010!!
Registration this year is both online and postal (details below) and this year we will also be making a charitable donation of €200 to the largest group to register, towards a charity of your choice. Check out www.tippminimarathon.ie for details of your local Meet and Train group, where you can train for this event with others in a fun and supportive environment’.

Valerie Connolly, Co-ordinator, South Tipperary Sports Partnership commented ' It is wonderful to be part of this Women in Sport initiative in Tipperary as it provides a great opportunity for women of all ages to get active and take part in a women's only mini marathon. All finishers will receive a specially designed race medallion and goody bag.  Spot prizes will also be distributed on the day. The event also provides a great opportunity for participants to raise funds for their own local charities. Last year’s winner Catherina McKiernan will also be joining us in Thurles on the day to show her support for the event which will be fantastic.  We hope that this year’s event will build on the success of the previous years'. 

All participants will be chip timed so whether running or walking the 10k you will get an accurate time and the event as always is AAI measured and certified.

The 2012 Tipperary Mini Marathon is funded through the Irish Sports Council Women In Sport Programme, and the 2012 committee comprises North Tipperary Sports Partnership, South Tipperary Sports Partnership, Tipperary Athletics County Board, LIT Tipperary, Thurles Crokes AC, Thurles Town Council, North Tipperary County Council, Thurles Gardai, North Tipperary Civil Defence and Tipp FM.

The event has also been supported this year by Tom Harvey Motor Co.Ltd Thurles,  and the Thurles European Town of Sport.

‘Tom Harvey Motor Co. Ltd are sponsoring the water and refreshment requirements for the 2012 event, as well as providing the Lead Car. We are delighted to have them on board’ commented Elaine Cullinan, North Tipperary Sports Partnership.

Registration is online at (www.tippminimarathon.ie) and this year we will also be accepting postal entries, details of which are on the above website. Closing date for all entries is strictly Monday 24th September, 2012.

For further information please contact Elaine/Sharon at North Tipperary Sports Partnership, 067-43604, www.ntsp.ie or Valerie at South Tipperary Sports Partnership, 062-64737, www.stsp.ie

(Minister of State Michael Ring, at the launch of the 2012 Tipperary Women's Mini-Marathon. Also, present at the launch: Ciarán Lynch, Development Manager LIT Tipperary, John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council, Elaine Cullinan, North Tipperary Sports Co-ordinator, Valerie Connolly, South Tipperary Sports Co-ordinator and Fionuala McGeever, South Tipperary VEC.)