'Jimmy's 10' Road Run Set For March 13th

Jimmy’s Ten, East Down Athletic Club secretary Joe Quinn said that “it is almost upon us again, the time of year when a real buzz of expectancy envelopes the East Down Athletic Club and the wider running fraternity. “Incredibly this will be the 13th running of the race instituted originally to commemorate the memory of the late Jimmy Murray who was a founder member of East Down Athletic Club in 1987.”   www.niathletics.org www.spanglefish.com/eastdownac The race was originally titled the ‘Jimmy’s 10K Road Race‘ but has become known as ‘Jimmy’s Ten’ or often more affectionately by those in the running fraternity simply as ‘Jimmy’s’. [caption id="attachment_19917" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="At the launch of the Jimmy's Ten road race and fun run/walk were Roisin Gaffney, EDAC Chairwoman, Conaill O'Connell, MB McGrady and Co Partner , Kyran Smyth, Partner, Joe Quinn, EDAC Secretary, and Mal McGrady, MB McGrady and Co Senior Partner."][/caption] He said, “For the third year in a row the Club welcomes the generous sponsorship of M B McGrady & Co. Chartered Accounts, enabling the organisers to not only offer top prizes but also to donate the proceeds to charity. Charities to benefit this year include the Downpatrick Branch of Cancer Research Northern Ireland, the Niall Mellon Township Trust, and the Patient’s Comfort Fund, Neuro Surgical Dept at Royal Victoria Hospital. Something For Everyone As well as the 10K race itself, there will be the popular Relay Race for Teams of two, especially arranged for those who cannot yet face the overall 6.2 mile distance, and to enable younger and novice runners to participate, often with parents or older family members. Joe Quinn added, “Additional attention is being given to walkers this year with a specific start time, dedicated marshals and a separate finish funnel to ensure they are adequately looked after. They will be asked to start later than 10.30am to ensure they are well ahead of the runners and to be back in time for the presentations.” Prize Draw [caption id="attachment_19918" align="alignright" width="300" caption="On their way out on the Jimmy's T"][/caption] Like most races, the majority of entrants have no hope of winning the race prizes, they run for enjoyment or against the clock, so a regular feature of the event which gives everyone an equal chance, is the free draw for a £700 holiday voucher and other valuable prizes for which every participant is entered – the only proviso being that to claim the prize, winners must be present at the draw in the Down Leisure Centre after the race to receive the prize at the presentation. Pacers “An exciting innovation this year sees the introduction of Pacers,” said Joe Quinn. “Though it is becoming an increasingly popular feature of marathons, it is believed this is the first time this has been tried in a 10K race, but East Down AC  believe it will prove welcome for those who have been trying unsuccessfully to break particular time barriers. Of course it is very much a trial but it is the intention to have designated pacemakers for 40, 45, 48, 50 and 60 minute times. The task of the Pacer is to cross the line just inside the specified time and for those who are tageting that time to be with him or her. [caption id="attachment_19920" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Runners pictured in Market Street in Downpatrick at the start of the Jimmy's Ten last year. "][/caption] Special Guest “Over the years the Club has had several world famous athletes as guests at Jimmy’s Ten including Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Mary Peters, Paralympic Gold medallist Michael McKillop and European champion and world marathon record holder Ron Hill and this year is no exception. While perhaps not known in the international arena this year’s guest will be Gerry Duffy, one of the duo who completed 32 marathons in 32 days in each of the 32 counties of Ireland, including one in Downpatrick, last Summer, raising over half a million Euros for Irish Autism Action and Autism NI in the process. “That’s 838.4 miles in 32 days – a feat worthy of any accolade and breathtaking in its scope. Gerry is currently writing a book about his adventure,” he said. Online Entries Due to increasing numbers of entrants, the EDAC  has had to impose a limit of 600 runners this year and are asking that everyone use the online entry system at www.niathletics.org or via the club’s website www.spanglefish.com/eastdownac . Entries will only be taken on the day if the limit is not reached before then. Entry Forms can be picked up at Down Leisure Centre or by email from: joemarathon50@btinternet.com or phone 02844 614235 or 07933214894.]]>