Mayo women's mini marathon should remain in Castlebar claims councillor

A Castlebar councillor has called for the Women's Mini-Marathon which will take place in the Mayo capital on Sunday to remain an annual fixture in the town.

The 2025 Mayo.ie Women's Mini Marathon returns to Castlebar on Sunday, May 4 after a two year absence with hundreds of participants expected to take part.

The Women's Mini Marathon had been held in Castlebar since its inception in 2010 but the race moved to Ballina in 2023 as part of the town's 300th anniversary celebrations. It was considered such a resounding success that it remained in north Mayo in 2024 much to the annoyance of Castlebar councillors.

Last year, Mayo County Council confirmed that the hosting of the race into the future will be shared around the county based on expression of interest and being able to abide by set criteria.

Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Donna Sheridan who was highly critical of the decision to take the mini marathon out of Castlebar called on organisers to ensure it remains in the county town.

“I was to thank the team [staff in Castlebar Municipal District] for putting forward an application for the mini marathon. Thank you all for supporting it and it is really appreciated and it is brilliant to see it come back into the town. It should never have gone and I don't think it should go again next year but that is a fight we will have afterwards. It is going to be a brilliant weekend in town,” she told the monthly meeting of Castlebar Municipal District.

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Last year, Mayo County Council confirmed that the hosting of the race into the future will be shared around the county based on expression of interest and being able to abide by set criteria.

The Women's Mini Marathon is one of a number of activities to take place in Castlebar over the bank holiday weekend as part of the Mayo Day celebrations.

The Big Day on the Mall, a youth music festival produced by Music Generation Mayo celebrating youth music making within the county will take place on Saturday as will the Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle.

On Saturday evening, the TF Royal Theatre will be packed to capacity for the Mayo Day 2025 Grand Finale Concert which will feature artists such as Tommy Fleming, Garron Noone and many more.

Cllr Sheridan said the organisation around Mayo Day does not just happen and praised the staff in the Castlebar office for their hard work.

“This does not happen by accident. We know we have the smallest number of staff in the district and a huge thank you to the team because they have delivered for us,” she said.