2011 Flora Mini Marathon in Moldova

English Language version

Mini MarathonA mini marathon is a distance of 10 km, which usually takes place on roads where participants are running, jogging or walking. Participation in mini marathons has grown steadily recently. One of the main reasons for this is

that it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of train-ing that a marathon requires.

The “Let’s get Behind them” campaign has

already started! Join us today!

Flora Mini Marathon, held annually in Dublin, is the largest event for women in Ireland and

has the prime purpose of encouraging women of all ages to become aware of heart health and a that healthy lifestyle can be achieved through

diet and exercise.

This entire campaign is inspired by all of us and the contagious sense of gen-erosity, community, love and good health shared by more than 40,000 women at the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon each year. And so, this year we want to spread this unique and inspiring sense of love and goodwill further - to your

families, your friends and your local communities.

The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon is the biggest all women’s event of its kind in the world. It has grown steadily in numbers

since it began in 1983 with its popularity increas-ing significantly over the last few years

Over those years nearly 780,000 women have entered the event - and the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon had a record field of 40,397 on Bank

Holiday Monday, June 7th, 2010.

Charities are the big winners. In 2010 it is estimated that almost

€14m was raised by the par-ticipants bringing the total since the race started in 1983 close to €137m. All charities benefit. The women decide themselves who

they will support and many local causes gain vital revenue from the event. It is now the biggest single day charity event in the country.

June 12th 1983 has become a very significant date for Irish women. Prior to that it was virtually unknown for women to train in public in the towns and

cities of Ireland. The Women’s Mini Marathon changed all that. By coincidence the first Women’s World Marathon Championship was also held in 1983.

Though women competed in marathons in various cities, the World and Olympic gov-erning bodies frowned on distance running by women. Up to 1980 the longest distance

women ran in the Olympics was 1,500 metres (1 mile approx).

Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, one of the largest European events attended by women only! In this action participate women of all nationalities living in Ireland, each chooses a charity for fundraising to support friends, acquaintances, work colleagues etc ....Unfortunately we couldn’t get home to Ireland for the Dublin Flora Women’s Mini Marathon in June so we are doing the next best thing - we are holding our own here in Moldova! It is 10Km and we will all either run, walk or stroll it for the greatest cause of all - the children with special needs in Hincesti Orphanage.

Help us raise awareness of these fantastic children and support them in their very first marathon.

Outreach Moldova (ORM) is an Irish Children’s Charity that is dedicated to

providing human rights, medical care and social inclusion for children that have been

abandoned or orphaned, children with special needs and children with terminal illnesses in the Republic of Moldova.

What should we do? What’s this all about?

It is about you, me and everyone out there getting behind children with special needs living in orphanages in Moldova who are about to take on the challenge of their lives

Outreach Moldova is hosting the event in Moldova too and the staff/volunteers we work with will assist the children we care for to cross the 10km finish line and raise €50,000 for their own care. It’s going to be a great day!

“Get behind the kids “- their First Mini Marathon. Help us make this the best

event ever!

The children’s future depends on what we do in the present!

Nina (aged 8) is getting her wheels pol-ished for the big day and with the help of Iurie, ORM admin manager, she will

complete her first mini marathon in true style. Nina is one of 24 children who will

be participating on the day in wheelchairs, showing eveyone once more, there really is

nothing that they can’t do!

Introducing Elena & Ana who have nev-er given up. Following years of surgeries and therapy they are now walking and

on marathon day they will be assisted by their big “sisters” Sveta and Viorica who

have never let them stop believing.

When you meet Maria & Maria you will understand the meaning of true courage. It is our honour to be able to assist them on this marathon journey. Get behind

them and show them you care.

Who said it had to be boring?! We are having a blast. It is not the winning on the day that is important, it is the tak-

ing part and the feeling that being part of something great that makes all the differ-

ence. You up for it?

All these wonderful children will be taking part in the Flora Mini Marathon in Moldova on 11th September 2011 organized by the Outreach Moldova (ORM). We have organised a mini marathon here where each child will be assisted by ORM staff/volunteer to cross the 10km finish line and raise €50,000 for their

own care.

Hîncești11th September 2011

“Let’s get Behind them” their first Mini Maraton

Contact us:Tel: 0 (269) 2 53 91e-mail: suzanne.oconnell@orm.mdweb: www.outreachmoldova.org

Follow us on our FACEBOOK page: 2011 Flora Mini Marathon in Moldova with ORM

or Make a DONATION:www.mycharity.ie/event/mini_marathon_and_u