Tens of thousands of women are taking part in this year's Vhi Women's Mini Marathon in Dublin, while more than 12,000 runners took part in the Cork City Marathon where a new course record was set.
Tim O'Donoghue, from East Cork AC, made it across the finish line in two hours 18 minutes and 37 seconds, while in Dublin, Aoife Kilgallon from Sligo AC has won this year's race with a time of 33 minutes and seven seconds.
Restrictions on traffic in Cork city centre and suburbs are in place until 6pm, with Patrick Street and adjoining streets closed to traffic all day.
A number of road closures and traffic diversions are in place for the south Dublin and city centre event, while Dublin Bus will have diversions on a number of routes.
🎉🎉🎉Course record! 🎉🎉🎉
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) June 5, 2022
Tim O 'Donoghue from East Cork AC in 2.18.37 🎉🎉🎉@TheCorkMarathon pic.twitter.com/J6NEQPuyVL
The winner of this year's VHI mini-marathon was 30 year old Aoife Kilgallon from Sligo pic.twitter.com/G9iAgoQfqQ
— Aisling Kenny (@KennyAKE) June 5, 2022
In Cork, Leevale AC's Lizzie Lee won the women's race, clocking 2:44.54, while the Brighton AB Training Group have come first in the relay category with a time of 2:14.03.
Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill from Donore Harriers in Dublin was second across the finish line in 33:07, and her sister Ide Nic Dhomhnaill placed third in 33:26.
Shauna Bocquet from Craughwell, Galway won the Elite Wheelchair Category in a time of 28:29, while Niamh Delany from Laois won the Visually Impaired category in a time of 57:42.
In Cork, 70 relay teams from 42 countries took part under the banner of the Sanctuary Runners, among them 90 Ukrainians who have recently moved to Ireland.
In all, there are 450 Sanctuary Runners taking part both in races across the country.
The mini marathon returned to the capital this afternoon after two years of virtual events due to Covid-19 and the 10km race is now in its 40th year.
As the largest female-only event of its kind in the world, many are running or walking in aid of various charities.
The race began at Fitzwilliam Street Upper, with the finish line on Lower Baggot Street.
David O'Leary of the Women’s Mini Marathon congratulated all of the women who took part.
"We’re so excited that we were able to return to the streets of Dublin and were able to celebrate this special milestone with the women who continue to make the event the success it is.
"This event couldn’t happen without the support of the hundreds of volunteers who so generously give their time to help on the day, as well as the many community groups and charities who continue to support our event year after year.
"I would also like to thank our sponsors, and in particular our title sponsors Vhi, whose support is so important in making this event happen," he said.
Organisers say the theme of the marathon is Women Making Magic, celebrating the camaraderie and togetherness experienced by the participants of the event.
An estimated €226m has been raised for Irish charitable causes since the event begin in 1983.
Reporting by Jennie O'Sullivan and Aisling Kenny
