TODAY over 30,000 women will pound the pavement as part of the VHI Mini Marathon.
Runners, walkers and joggers will kick off from Fitzwilliam Square and make their way around the 10km route as part of the biggest all-female event of its kind in the world.
And it is all for a good cause, or several good causes, as it is the biggest one-day charity fundraising event in the country.
Each runner has the option of raising money for a charity of their choosing, from Make-a-Wish to ACT Meningitis, Pieta House to PAWS Animal Rescue and the ISCPA to the ISPCC.
Many have fundraising pages and have been working tirelessly to raise as much money as they can.
Here, LEAH McDONALD speaks to two women who will be putting their best feet forward tomorrow and will be running for a cause.
Lisa Richardson
Last year’s marathon has very special memories for Lisa Richardson after an unexpected proposal at the finish line.
And Lisa will be pounding the pavement once again on Sunday to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis Ireland.
Lisa, from Finglas, was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis on her 27th birthday and is raising funds for MS Ireland as they helped her manage her illness.
Last year she had a very unexpected surprise at the finish line when her boyfriend of 11 years Johnathan Rock, proposed to her surrounded by members of her family and friends.
The telesales executive said yes and the couple are currently saving for her a house and plan to get married next year or the following year.
Speaking about the romantic gesture, Lisa said: “I was scarlet because very one was around and it was raining so it was I can’t believe you’re proposing to me and I look like this
“I was so embarrassed I didn’t know what to say and I had to keep watching the video over I was a bit dazed, like what’s going on
“I didn’t have a clue but that’s him all over, he’s an absolute divil, he surprises me all the time , has very good have to say.”
Lisa had a tough time with her illness and after experiencing a relapse, she was unable to walk, talk or move her limbs.
Thankfully she recovered and could return to playing netball- which she loves- working and getting on with her life.
She also had a tough time as she lost her brother Karl a year before her diagnosis who was her best friend. But Lisa believes Karl is watching over her and she has the incredible support of family and friends.
Speaking about her relapse Lisa added: “I couldn’t walk couldn’t talk couldn’t do anything, I was on a tube, they started to speed it up and put me on a new drug.
I didn’t have a choice, and it worked , I had to go through extensive physio, speech and language, I had to learn everything again and that took time,
“Johnathan would be in the hospital every day even if he was in work he come on his break and look after me.
She added: “It was horrendous, I didn’t know about multiple sclerosis , the worse thing I could do was google it, I was diagnosing myself with everything which you shouldn’t do.
Lisa first took part in the mini-marathon in 2013 to prove to herself she could do it and she has done one every year since.
Asked what advice she would have for someone going through the same illness, added: “Support is the key, not holding things in always talk, talk, talk
“I was very lucky because I had a lot of support from my family and friends
“I lost my brother a year pervious so I was going through a lot as it was and I do think he’s helping me now.”
“I cry at anything, but Johnathan has one of these positive mental attitudes, people and he never lets me for one minute feel sorry for myself.
“If you don’t you are screwed, I would say just talk.
“MS Ireland are amazing, and I would recommend linking in with them.”
Gwen Kenny
GWEN Kenny has a very special reason for taking part in the mini marathon along with an army of 39 other women.
In 2009 Sligo woman Gwen was overjoyed when she welcomed baby Rian into the world. However Rian had contracted E coli in the hospital where he was born and his condition deteriorated.
He was later transferred to the Coombe Hospital where staff did everything possible to save his life. Unfortunately he took a turn for the worst and died in his dad’s arms.
Mum of two Gwen along with other members of Team Rian are fundraising for bereavement suite in the Coombe, where Gwen spent five nights after Rian’s passing.
She said the Bereavement Suites are a sanctuary for a family experiencing the most devastating thing, the death of a child.
Gwen, mum to Caolán ,15 and Ruadhán, told the Irish Sun : “The Coombe were amazing, they got a helicopter over form Scotland, they pulled out every stop they could to help and some of our money is also going to a neonatal incubator to try and stop other families experiencing what we experienced.
“Unfortunately if they do they will be in nice comfortable surroundings and they can try and make memories and try and come to terms with what happened, just to help them that way you know.
“When he was being born and then he got transferred over to the coombe and they tried to save his life, they did everything they could for him.”
She said the staff were extremely supportive, caring and utterly incredible.
It has been ten years since she last took part in the marathon. Her youngest son recently donated €100 of his communion money to the Team Rian fundraising account.
She added: “Some of them are praying for rain and some of them are praying for sun.
“They don’t want it to be too hot but sure if it is we can bring lots of water
“There is this great camaraderie aswell with some of the women.
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“There’s been great craic on the phones with WhatsApp groups and things like that aswell
They are looking forward to meeting each other on the day.
“They’ve just come on and wanted to do it for the ir own reasons aswell, maybe they’ve experienced something and they want to help.”