East Down AC Prepares For Jimmys 10K 25th Anniversary

Donation to The River Quoile Trust from East Down AC

Recently Wayne Giles, the current Men’s Captain at East Down Athletics Club, caught up with Stephen O’Hare of The River Quoile Trust to hear about the work that is being delivered through the Clean up the Quoile campaign.

Stephen O’Hare of the Quoile Trust said: “This community project is aimed at conserving and improving the River Quoile and its waterways for environmental, recreational and educational purposes.”

Wayne Giles added: “EDAC have a special interest in the activities as they made a donation of £500 collected from the runners who took part in the the 2024 edition of their annual race known as Jimmy’s 10K.

“This race is held annually in March in memory of Jimmy Murray who was one of the founding members of East Down AC.

“The 2025 edition promises to be a special event as this is the 25th anniversary so make sure to put Sunday 16th March in the diary.

“Finnebrogue will be the returning headline sponsor and tickets will go on sale mid December – watch this space!”

Stephen O’Hare of the Quoile Trust picture on a fishing stand by the River Quoile with East Down AC men’s captain Wayne Giles. (Photos courtesy of East Down AC).

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The weekly EDAC Notes for 17 11 24

The British & Irish Masters International Cross Country Championships

Saturday at the Billy Neill MBE Country Park saw this year’s British and Irish Masters Cross Country Championships hosted by the Northern Ireland Masters Athletics Association writes Martin Willcox.

The N Ireland Team at the Billy Neiil MBE sports centre.

All the best Masters Athletes from across Ireland and the UK are selected by their countries to compete in this amazing event, and is a step up from the normal league races.

The conditions were bright, cool and breezy with two courses, 6km and 8km.

EDAC has always had a number of athletes selected for this event and this year was no different.

East Down and N Ireland ladies Sharon Madine and Catherine O’Connor.

East Down AC’s Neil Curran brings the men’s 45 to 49 team home.

EDACs Paul Burns heading for the finish line in the Mens 50 to 54 age category in the British & Irish Masters International Cross Country Championships
Saturday at the Billy Neill MBE Country Park.

Representing East Down AC and N Ireland this year was old hand at this competition Catherine O’Connor who had a great race last year and was selected this year in the 35/39 age group. Again Catherine had a strong run finishing the first N Ireland lady in her age group bringing the team home in 3rd position.

Another athlete you has worn the N Ireland vest before is Paul Burns, who was in the male 50/54 age group, put in a determined run helping the N Ireland team home in third spot.

Neil Curran is now a regular on the masters X-Country circuit and was in the 45/49 age group and ran the 8k course in 29 min 56 sec, helping the team home in 4th position.

Before the off, EDACs Paul Burns and Sharon Madine.

Sharon Madine was the newbie this year and got selected as a reserve for the ladies team, so she got the opportunity to run in the 6k open race against all the reserve runners from all the teams and some of the best Masters athletes from across Ireland and the UK.

Sharon put in a great performance and I am sure learned a lot from this race. So well done to these four East Down AC members for representing N Ireland and Co. Down.