Margaret ‘Mags’ Mathieson to received the Member of the Order of the British Empire medal in th King’s Birthday Honours’ List
Currently sitting in the sun in Mallorca on holiday, Mags Mathieson from Dundonald, can’t wait to get home to celebrate her award of Member of the Order of the British Empire in King Charle’s Birthday Honours’ List.
Mags have built up a huge reputation for her services to running sports’ events in recent years.
She said: “Although I first heard about the award in May this year, I kept it a complete secret, even from my partner, until the night before the public announcement. And when the honours’ list was published last week it was still a bit of a shock all the same. And it’s strange because no-one here on this Spanish island where I am at the moment understands these awards but I’ll celebrate when I get home ok.
Mags spent many years working alongside East Down AC’s Joe Quinn also an MBE for his contributions to the sport. J”oe took me under his wing and I got involved in the management of running events,” said Mags.
“At that time I had had an injury for about nine years and could not run so I got into the organisation side of it and helpe Joe and got to know the ropes. Before long he let me run the events by myself. As a civil servant for 43 years based in Belfast I am quite well organised.
‘So I started organising runs in places such as Loughinisland, Darragh Cross, Killinchy, Saul, Strangford, and the Castlewellan Griddle to name a few and other towns around Downpatrick. The Jimmy’s 10K is a special race for the East Down AC and it’s always great to see the fantastic support it gets year on year. I’ve organised literally dozens of races over the years.”
(Photo by Jim Masson/DownNews©).
Mags explained that she had help to work with almost 200 running events which included park runs. Joe Quinn provided a lot of support for Mags who thoroughly enjoyed the management side of running.
She added: “I am involved too with the Civil Service Athelic Club and I’m on the committee for the Belfast City Marathon. I’m kept on my toes, but I love it.
“I’v’e actually started to run again during the Covid lockdown, as I was just walking before that to get the exercise but I’m feeling fitter again and I run a few miles each morning. I’ve even got my family into running too which is great.
“Other commitments I have which keeps me very active include being on the Endurance Committee for Athletics NI and also I’m involved with the Civil Service Ramblers Walking Group. And I’m a full-time carer for my partner suffers from Multiple Schlerosis.
“Living in Dundonald is great as it it is just a short distance from work in the Civil Service. I have to juggle a number of balls over the week and manage my time.
“But there’s one date soon to be in my diary and that is when I go to London to receive the award from King Charles. It’s a great opportunity to get a new dress! And I can visit a few shops too while I am over there. My daughter will go with me to the presentation in Buckingham Palace. I have a son too who lives in London so I’m really looking forward to it all.
“It all started really years ago when I just wanted to help Joe Quinn organise events. I have the grertest respect for Joe. He is such a gentleman.
“So I’ll finish my holiday here in Mallorca and get set to celebrate when I arrive home with my friends and family.”
Mags has made a tremendous contribution to athletics and over the years in successfully providing a sound management approach to running events.
Joe Quinn himself received an MBE for his work with the East Down AC in the Queen’s Honour List in June 2012.
Congratulations once again to Mags on her well deserved MBE award following in Joe’s footsteps !
