On your marks! Get set for the Jimmy’s 10K. Entries are now open for 15th March 2026
• Entries are open for the 26th annual Jimmy’s 10K road race – proudly sponsored by Finnebrogue, the largest private employer in the Downpatrick area.
The countdown is on as entries officially open for the 26th annual Jimmy’s 10K, taking place on Sunday 15 March 2026, hosted by East Down Athletics club, with valued support from returning sponsor Finnebrogue.
Entries are now open and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. The measured 10K course starts close to Ballydugan Industrial Estate runs past the War Memorial and takes runners on two scenic loops along the Quoile Road, before finishing beside Down Leisure Centre.
With a largely flat profile and a few gentle inclines, the route is perfectly suited to all abilities — from those chasing PBs or the £200 winner’s prize to those tackling their very first 10K.
For runners seeking a team challenge, the popular relay option returns, allowing pairs to split the distance and complete approximately 5K each.
Anthea McAuley, Communications Manager at Finnebrogue, said: “Finnebrogue is absolutely delighted to sponsor the Jimmy’s 10K road race for the fourth consecutive year.
“It’s a well-established community event that brings people together of all ages and abilities and we’re proud to be associated with it.”
Chair of East Down AC, Wayne Giles, said: “We are delighted to host the 26th annual Jimmy’s 10K on St Patrick’s weekend and help kick-start the celebrations in the heart of St. Patrick’s homeland.
“Jimmy’s 10K is one of the first major running events in the calendar and we hope to see a record number of participants taking to the streets of Downpatrick in March 2026.”
This year’s entry package includes a 2026 race t-shirt for the first 700 entrants, chip timing, on-course and finish water, pacers and post-race refreshments.
The Early Bird rate runs until mid-January 2026, with the first 100 registrants receiving a Finnebrogue goodie bag.
Registration will close on Wednesday 11 March at 9:00pm.
To enter or find out more details, click the link:
https://in.njuko.com/jimmys-10k-20261760648669588
About the Sponsor, Finnebrogue:
Finnebrogue is part of the Sofina Foods Group, a privately owned company with European headquarters in Malton, North Yorkshire, dedicated to providing great-tasting, high-quality food product and generating more than £3.8 billion in revenue.
Globally, the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries operate more than 40 sites and have over 14,000 employees in Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.
Finnebrogue made its name producing premium sausages for leading supermarkets, before launching its revolutionary Naked Bacon in 2017.
From its four sites in Downpatrick, including a state-of-the-art vegetarian facility, Finnebrogue produces numerous own-label bacon, sausage, burger and vegetarian products to leading supermarkets, alongside its own Naked range, made without nitrites.
