Record participation Half Marathon raises €57,000

This year's AON Mullingar Half Marathon has raised an impressive €57,000 for charity after 2,500 participants took on the challenge.

The success of the race underlined its status as one of the Midlands' premier sporting and fundraising events. T.E.A.M. (Temporary Emergency Accommodation Midlands) is the charity to benefit following this year's race.

The impressive figure represents a significant increase on the €35,000 raised for charity in 2025 and comes after what was the most successful staging of the event in its 12-year history.

Held on St Patrick's Day over the popular Mullingar course, this year's event attracted a record participation of 2,500 runners, walkers and joggers, with competitors travelling from across Ireland and beyond to take part.

The fundraising success has been warmly welcomed by organisers, who paid tribute to the community effort that continues to drive the event forward.

Pat Keating, chairman of the organising committee, described the achievement as a remarkable success story for Mullingar and the wider Midlands region.

“The marathon is run by a voluntary committee and is greatly assisted by Westmeath County Council through Civil Defence, Transportation and Municipal District; An Garda Síochána, the HSE, local clubs and organisations, Fencescape, Colas, and volunteers and stewards,” he said.

Mr Keating noted that the event's continued growth is a testament to the dedication of volunteers, sponsors and participants who have embraced the half marathon since its inception.

The organising committee expressed its delight at the amount raised for T.E.A.M., whose work providing temporary emergency accommodation and support services to vulnerable people across the Midlands has become increasingly important in recent years.

Committee members acknowledged the support of title sponsor AON, along with ORS Hydration, Colton Motors and Lidl Mullingar, whose backing helped make the event possible.

Thanks were also extended to local businesses, community organisations, emergency services and the large volunteer network that assists with the planning and delivery of the race each year.

However, organisers reserved special praise for the 2,500 participants who took to the streets of Mullingar on St Patrick's Day.

“Every entry, every mile and every finish line crossed helped support the vital work of T.E.A.M. across the Midlands,” the committee said.

Now firmly established as one of the highlights of the local sporting calendar, the Mullingar Half Marathon continues to combine athletic achievement with community spirit, and this year's record-breaking fundraising total is further evidence of the event's growing impact.

The €57,000 donation will provide a major boost to T.E.A.M.'s services, while also highlighting the generosity of the thousands of people who once again supported an event that has become a source of pride for Mullingar and the wider region.

The half marathon committee is: Pat Keating, Terry Toal, Martin Marshall, Padraig Murtagh, Mary Hughes, Roger Nicholson, Grace Kelly, Linda McGee, Mary Kelly, Majella Mohan, Robert Troy, Declan Leonard, Bertie Dunne and Sean Kennedy.