Tens of thousands of women from across Ireland are taking part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon Dublin 2026 today
People running in the 2024 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon(Image: Sam Boal/Collins )
The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon is taking place today.
Tens of thousands of women from across Ireland will participate in the 10km race, with many hoping to raise funds for various charities, and it stands alone as the largest all-female event of its kind globally.
Here’s everything you need to know for Sunday morning.
Don’t forget your race number
All participants will have a timing tag embedded within their race number. Numbers must not be concealed by clothing, belts, rain jackets etc.
Bring some safety pins with you to fasten your number to the front of your t-shirt. Enter your contact details and medical information on the back of your race number.
Race numbers are non-transferable. Your race number is your ticket. You will be required to show your race number to gain entry and to collect your medal.
Please ensure it’s visible. No race number, no entry, no medal.
Baggage drop
Personal items can be left at our bag drop locations before the race begins. There are four Bag Drop locations this year, one in each colour wave.
These will open at 10.30am. Please bring your own clear reusable bag for your belongings. These are left entirely at owner’s risk.
Wave entry routes
There are different entry routes, depending on which colour wave you’re in, and there are baggage drop areas available at all locations.
WHITE and PINK waves will enter through the junction of Pembroke Street Upper/Leeson Street Lower. Baggage drop will be after this entrance point on Fitzwilliam Square. Please make sure you are in your wave by 12.00pm
BLUE will have two entry points: 1. Clare St/Nassau St/Lincoln Place Junction 2. Hume St./St. Stephens Green Junction.
Baggage drop will be after the entrance points. Please make sure you are in your wave by 12.15pm.
ORANGE will enter through the Herbert Place/Warrington Place Junction Baggage drop will be after this entrance point on Mount Street Upper. Please make sure you are in your wave by 12.30pm.
Course route
The route starts on Fitzwilliam Street, before turning left onto Leeson Street. It continues up Morehampton Road, Donnybrook Road, and Stillorgan Road, before a hairpin left and a right onto Nutley Lane. It then turns left again onto Merrion Road, onto Pembroke Road, and back to Fitzwilliam Street for the finish.
Safety information
All bags being carried on the course must be no larger than A4 size and may be subject to search. No large bags, backpacks or suitcases will be allowed at the event.
Remain vigilant of your surroundings and familiarise yourself with your nearest exit routes. In the unlikely event of a public safety concern, pay close attention to announcements made by race officials, stewards, and on the screens. Please follow these instructions promptly and calmly.
Always ensure your shoelaces are securely fastened to avoid the risk of tripping and falling.
Be mindful of the surface beneath you, particularly if it is wet, slippery or potentially hazardous. · Participants must not bring banners, flags or similar items to the race. Any such signs brought onto the course will be removed and held for the race duration.
Items such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, space blankets and refuse sacks are frequently abandoned before and during the race, potentially creating trip hazards. When disposing of clothing or similar items, please ensure they won’t pose a risk to fellow participants.
Climbing on temporary surfaces or barriers is prohibited.
For health and safety purposes, buggies, pushchairs, prams, scooters, motorised vehicles, motorised devices, baby slings, baby carriers or dogs/pets of any description are not allowed on the physical course.
Please ensure you consume sufficient water before and throughout the race to maintain hydration. Please confirm you are suitably prepared for the weather conditions and have adequate water and sunscreen.
Under the direction of An Garda Síochána, the use of bicycles, apart from official bicycles, on the course during the event is strictly prohibited.
Order of Malta First Aid stations are positioned along the route.
Water stations
START/FINISH: Water will be accessible at the Start and Finish areas. You may bring a water bottle if you believe you’ll need additional hydration. When discarding your bottle, please utilise one of the bins provided.
Water stations on the course are: AFTER 3km: On the Stillorgan Road, close to the Teresian School.
At 6km: On the Stillorgan Road, in the vicinity of Belfield Bridge.
At 8km: Adjacent to AIB Plaza in Ballsbridge.
Kindly place your cups and bottles in the designated bins. All cups supplied across all zones are compostable.
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