My name is Mary Mahon and I am delighted to represent the famous county of Mayo. 

I have taken part in approx. 26 Dublin ladies mini marathons, completing my first one in 1985 in 54 minutes.   35 years later I still enjoy taking part in the event but unfortunately my finish time is no longer under the hour.   I have not achieved any “personal best” in the last 20 years but at this stage, for me, it’s all about participation. 

This year I am hoping to raise funds for the Palliative Care Centre in Swinford Hospital in Mayo.   My reason for choosing this good cause started in 2018.   That year I lost my wonderful brother Michael, to cancer.   In January 2018 he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of a brain tumour.  He was cared for by the Palliative Care Team in Swinford for 6 weeks.  During this difficult time, we as a family, experienced the love, care, compassion and hospitality of all staff in the centre.  This care did not only extend to Michael and our family but to everyone who visited him.  I know that any funds raised by me will go to providing exceptional care and hospitality for other cancer suffers and their families. 

I have always truly enjoyed taking part in the ladies Mini Marathon, because of the fantastic atmosphere on the day and all the support given to all participants both by supporters along the route and at the finishing line. Overall I have completed 10 Marathons, 9  in Dublin and 1 in Galway. I completed the Dublin City Marathons (26.2 miles) in the following years 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985.    1986 I was pregnant with baby daughter, so unfortunately, I could only watch it on TV that year.  Back again in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990.   I returned to Dublin for my "grand finale" marathon in 2017. I also completed the Galway City Marathon in 1984, doing 2 marathons that year. 

I have always classed this event as a “ladies day out”, travelling from Mayo to Dublin with my friends who also enjoy taking part in the event no matter what the weather conditions were like, and also doing a little shopping in Henry Street or Grafton Street before the race. 

I have also encourage my friends and work mates to take part in both the “couch to 5K” training programme and also the ParkRun held here in Claremorris.   Through those two events some of my friends have gone on to complete the 10K Ladies Mini Marathon, some jogging and others walking. 

By taking part in Marathons and Mini Marathons I have previously fundraised for various charities here in Mayo, such as Western Care Association, Spina Bifida, the Oncology Unit in Castlebar Hospital, 22q11 Family Foundation.   Also, my friend and I purchased an Infant Respirator for Castlebar Hospital. 

Over the past 35 years I have encouraged several ladies of all ages and fitness levels  to take part in the Mini Marathon, and instilled in them self-belief that “what the mind believes, the body achieves” and many have come back after the race to say “I never thought I would see the day I would complete  the ladies mini marathon, and I have”.     Even on one occasion, my daughter who was home on holidays from Australia decided to join me for the mini marathon.  

Updated June 2020:

Unfortunately I will not be taking any trip to Dublin this year for the mini-marathon or football All-Ireland.  Training is very different this year, but as part of  Mayo Day Celebrations in May the women in my village and I organised a virtual women's 10k "your way" and we are looking forward to organising something similar in October.