One lucky participant in the 2011 Flora Women's Mini Marathon has won a brand new Fiat 500 courtesy of Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland.
Yvonne McGardle, from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, was chosen at random from the 44,000-strong mini-marathon entry list, but was only made aware of her good fortune immediately prior to the start of the event.
The 22-year old nursing home care assistant was stunned to learn that the red Fiat 500 1.2 Pop parked on the starting line was actually hers as she thought she had only won a consolation prize.
An elated Yvonne promptly accepted the keys from Adrian Walsh, Managing Director of Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland, and then posed for photographers alongside her brand new Fiat 500, which has a retail price of approximately €13,000.
She then returned to her companions to complete the 10-kilometre charity run through Dublin city and its suburbs.
Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland is one of the main sponsors of the Flora Women's Mini Marathon. Fiat provides vans for the nationwide distribution of materials, vehicles for the event organisers and a Fiat 500 is offered as a prize to one lucky participant. 2011 is Fiat's second year as a primary sponsor.