Westmeath County Champion for Vhi Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon

The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is going virtual in 2021, for the second year running, on Sunday September 19, with the help of the new official event app developed to support those looking to walk, jog and run the 10km route anywhere in the country.

The theme of this year’s event is #PowerOfMe, recognising the difference one person can make in the lives of others, and celebrating the spirit of camaraderie and coming together as a group.

Westmeath County Champion

Mullingar woman Donna Price is taking part in the 2021 Vhi Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon, promoting a cause close to her heart. Donna is running to raise awareness of and funds for IRVA (Irish Road Victims Association), the national charity for road crash victims in Ireland.

She is the founder and chairperson of IRVA, which she set up following the death of her son Darren in a road crash in Kilbeggan while he was on his way to college.

The IRVA provides free information, support and bereavement counselling to families affected by road crashes nationwide. As part of its work, it helps families to deal with the aftermath of their loved ones’ deaths or serious injuries.

As well as grieving the sudden and traumatic loss of a loved one, often their own child, the bereaved are also thrown into dealing with the criminal justice process that follows, and which they know nothing about, including the garda investigation, DPP and coroner’s inquest.

Everyone in IRVA volunteers their time to the charity, and they raises their own funding. They try to ensure that families have the support they need and never feel isolated or alone in their grief. All their services are free of charge, and they operate a 24-hour helpline, open seven days a week.

Primarily a victim support charity, IRVA also works with all stakeholders to reduce road dangers. It gives road safety educational talks to transition students around the country and speaks to youngsters in the garda juvenile diversion and liaison programme.

The IRVA is constantly advocating for legislative changes, and improved victim support services. It works at home and abroad to try to save lives and prevent injury on the roads, and to better support the unfortunate victims and their families.

Find out more about the IRVA at irva.ie.

Enter the mini marathon now

Registration for the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, now in its 39th year, is now open at vhiwomensminimarathon.ie. Every participant will receive a race pack, including a new Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon T-shirt, and the 2021 commemorative medal. Participants can also download and personalise their race numbers to wear while they are completing the 10km in September.

This year, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is introducing a new official event app which will allow participants to race the real route and get the real race experience by following the official route of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin, from their doorsteps.

Participants will be able to track their races and log their times for the 10km event via the app. The event will be open on the app between Friday September 17 and Sunday September 19, and participants will be able to choose to do the 10km distance in one go or divide the distance into two 5km races.

Entrants can set up dedicated fundraising pages with Givengain, the event’s fundraising partner at givengain.com.