Well there you have it! This years flora women's mini marathon was a fantastic success yet again, with over 40 Arena members and their friends taking part in the event, and all in aid of CASA.
Here is what Sheena (Team Trainer) had to say,
"It was such a memorable day; the sun was shining down on us and the other 39,960 women! The streets were lined with live music to help motivate us all throughout the 10km route, along with so many members of the public, cheering us on and spectating at the biggest women only event in the world!
We all met at the club in Malahide at 11am on Monday morning, we distributed their goodie bags, t-shirts and race numbers. By the time we had left the Arena Leisure Centre, their wasn't much left of the Charity t-shirts!! Bundles of sleeves and cut off necks were gathered at reception... apparently a self made tank top helps with the Aerodynamics of it all"
After a pre race stretch outside facing onto the beautiful Marina, the 40 ladies boarded the bus bound for Dublin City Centre to join 39,960 other hopeful women for the ultimate race day event of 2013.
The Arena Health and Leisure centre would like to take this opportunity to mention and thank Mary O'Donoghue and her team from CASA for their tremendous hospitality in providing us with a base at St Stephens Green. The Arena team were over whelmed at their attention to detail in providing light refreshments, chocolate bars(for energy of course), a selection of fruits, complimentary backpacks and stopwatches. "A personal thank you to Mary for the beautiful bouquet of flowers"
On to the race.... "The race itself was magical, the sun was hot and the skies were so blue. The support from the public cheering us on and providing us with thirst quenching water was incredible, not to mention the thrones of live music along the way to keep us moving. We pushed and pushed until we neared the last corner where our lovely club manager Suzanne was waiting patiently to snap a photograph of us. From there, we sprinted as much as our legs could possibly allow until we crossed the finish line with out precious mini marathon medals awaiting us"
Well done to team Arena, it seems that some of the team attained personal bests and others simply enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying being part of the biggest women only event in the world...and getting a medal to prove it. Congratulations to Team Arena's Annette Kealy who finished in the top ten finishers. What a fantastic achievement.
Just when the ladies thought the day couldn't get any better, Republic of Ireland and LA Galaxy soccer captain, Robbie Keane decided to jump in with our team of thirsty ladies for a few photographs in Gibney's of Malahide.
Final words from Sheena... "Well done to everyone involved for making this year the biggest and best yet. You all did amazing and made my job so easy by putting in all the effort that you have and by just being yourselves and enjoying it all"
Laura Stotesbury- Research and Marketing Executive
