WEALTH June 9, 2026 0 Comments

Vhi’s Bold Move to Power Ireland’s Women’s Mini Marathon—What It Means for Brands Ready to Dominate in 2024

Who would have guessed that a sprint—or rather a spirited stroll—around the streets of Dublin could forge a decade-long partnership impacting women’s health, fitness, and fundraising across Ireland? As Vhi tags along for another five years as the title sponsor of the Women’s Mini Marathon, their commitment feels less like a sponsorship deal and more like a shared mission to empower 30,000+ women who flood the city each year. It’s fascinating to see how an event once started for fun has morphed into a powerhouse of charitable giving and community spirit, raising millions of euros and securing a spot in Ireland’s biggest participation events calendar. This isn’t just about branding; it’s about cultivating wellbeing, spark, and a future where healthier lives thrive—one stride at a time. Ready to see how Vhi and the Women’s Mini Marathon are rewriting the playbook on partnerships?

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Vhi has renewed its title sponsorship of the Women’s Mini Marathon for a further five years, extending a partnership that has been in place since 2014.

The announcement coincided with the 2026 event, which saw 30,000 women take to the streets of Dublin on May 31, underlining the enduring popularity of one of Ireland’s largest participation events.

The new agreement will see Vhi continue as title sponsor until at least 2031, reinforcing a relationship that both organisations say has played a key role in supporting women’s health, fitness and fundraising efforts over the past decade.

Since Vhi first partnered with the Women’s Mini Marathon, hundreds of thousands of women have participated in the annual event, raising millions of euro for charities across Ireland.

The sponsorship aligns with Vhi’s broader focus on promoting health and wellbeing among its members and the wider public.

Announcing the extension, Vhi Group chief executive Brian Walsh said the event provides an important platform for the company’s purpose of helping people live “longer, stronger, healthier lives”.

“This long-term partnership extension is a reflection of our commitment to this event which continues to grow from strength to strength,” Walsh said.

“The atmosphere around Dublin on race day is incredible, and we’re very excited to continue working closely with the Women’s Mini Marathon team to deliver many more days like last Sunday.”

David O’Leary, general manager of the Women’s Mini Marathon, welcomed the renewal, describing Vhi as a “tremendous partner” since joining the event in 2014.

“This year’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon sold out within 48 hours, demonstrating the huge passion and appetite that exists,” he said.

O’Leary added that the extended sponsorship provides a strong foundation for future growth. “We’re looking forward to working closely with Vhi over the coming years to tap into that passion and continue to grow and develop the event.”

In addition to title sponsor Vhi, the Mini Marathon counts Dublin City Council, Intersport Elverys, Leapmotor Ireland, EVOKE, Spin 1038, Citizen as sponsors and Njuko, iDonate, Topflight and Drivalia as partners.

Photo: Vhi ambassadors Nathalie Lennon, Katja Mia, Aimee Connolly and Clóda Scanlon with Dr Linda Keaveney, chief healthcare officer of VHI, and David O’Leary, race director, at the 2026 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.