JIMMY’S 10 2022

Jimmy’s 10K is hosted annually by East Down AC in memory of Jimmy Murray for his devotion to the sport and is usually tied in with the St Patrick’s Day festivities in the town of Downpatrick. In 2020 Covid called a halt and no race was held at all. In 2021 it was decided to move both date and venue to have the best chance of fitting in with covid restrictions. While the event at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit last June was well received, many were glad to see the race brought back to its origins as a road race taking in the iconic sites of East Down’s home town.

NEARLY ALL OVER BEFORE IT BEGAN

Months of planning go into a race and this year was no exception. The EDAC Race Committee had an A and B routes on file in case of flooding on the Quoile towpath. They had worked with and through Covid restrictions, secured road licences and and Athletics NI permits and employed professionals for timing, first aid, traffic management etc. The club rallied members and friends of the club to marshal the roads, man the water station and prepare the post race food tables. The Race Committee were out at 7am on Sunday to finalise the cones and signage when news broke that a fallen tree had brought down a power line directly impacting the planned route. East Down AC volunteers were straight into action. They were at the scene in minutes and had even a tree surgeon on speed dial, but they could not gain access.

They were determined not to cancel and set about re routing the race. This not as simple as it may seem. With a traffic management plan to take into account AND new sections to measure AND the clock ticking, there was a lot of pressure. The wind and rain didn’t help and mindful of the well being of runners, a delayed start was not even considered. 

FAST WORK PAYS OFF

With some sharp thinking and speedy manoeuvres a new route was hurriedly drawn up and having advised the athletes that it was no longer a measured 10K, the start team herded them on to the start line in Ballydugan Estate and the hooter went only a minute or two behind schedule. With a huge sigh of relief Mags Mathieson the official starter waved the 650 strong crowd on their way. Thankfully everything else went to plan and post race comments have been nothing but positive from those who took part. There was high praise for the volunteers along the route who cheered and clapped and gave out water. It was not the race that East Down AC had planned but with 2020 fresh in our memories most were simply glad that they got the chance to run.

NEIL TAKES THE TOP SPOT

With all that had gone on pre race there was barely time to consider who the winner might be but there was a wave of excitement when Neil McCartan of East Down appeared in the home straight and crossed the line 30 seconds ahead of Owen Carleton of Annadale Striders. This was a bucket list moment for Neil as he is a longtime club member and he ran well to achieve it. It tops off a great season so far and leaves him primed for the track season which is his first love. When Aaron McGrady also EDAC was third, the stress of the morning was washed away in the joy of having 2 members on the podium. Mal McGrady of M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants presented Neil with the Jimmy Murray Memorial Shield at the finish line and the top 3 received cash prizes.

OVER TO THE LADIES

The Ladies’ race was almost pre determined when Emma Mitchell the current 10,000 metre track champion (with a personal best of 32.49) decided to throw her hat in the ring but given that she has been targeting half marathon times (1.12.28 in Valencia) and that the pandemic has played havoc with both racing and training, it is hard to gauge where individuals are form “. In the end she had a clear win finishing in 33.14 with Sinead Murtagh of Newcastle & District AC taking 2nd place in 36.34. Eimear McCracken of City of Lisburn came 3rd in 38.23 to complete the podium. Emma was presented with the Joe Quinn Perpetual Trophy for First Female and she took the time to say that she was “delighted to support the magnificent Jimmy’s 10k and that the hospitality from the host club was first class!” From an athlete who has raced at top level all over the world it was praise indeed.

TEAM PRIZES

Two shields are presented for club teams  in the 10K and this year Newcastle & District took the honours in the men’s race and East Down AC retained the ladies’ title. As well as the shield team members get £25 each and a free entry into next year’s race. It is based on the top 4 men and the top 3 women home. There is also a relay event where two people split the 10K with one runner starting on the line and then passing over a wristband at the changeover point. Their team mate then heads home to record a joint time. Ollie Robinson and Jacob  Crawford (EDAC)  were the quickest all male team. Holly Scott and Willow Farrington of Scrabo took the all female prize and the mixed title went to mother and son duo – Maureen Kelly and James Wright (also EDAC)

AGE CATEGORIES

Neil McCartan	East Down AC	Winner
Emma Mitchell	Clonliffe Harriers	Ist Female
Owen Carleton	Annadale Striders	2nd Male
Sinead Murtagh	Newcastle & District	2nd Female
Aaron McGrady	East Down AC	3rd Male
Eimear McCracken	City of Lisburn	3rd Female
Mackenzie Murray	East Down AC	First U20
Caitlin Burke		Female U20
Chris McCaffrey		Over 35
Deirdre Weatherall	East Down AC	Over 35
Gary Hearn		Over 40
Sara Kelly	Penny Lane Striders	Over 40
Gareth Lyons	North Belfast Harriers	Over 45
Kelley Hanniver	Willowfield Harriers	Over 45
Paul Carroll	Annadale Striders	Over 50
Niamh O’Connell	Murlough AC	Over 50
Francis Marsh	North Down AC	Over 55
Mary Slocum	Ward Park Runners	Over 55
Norman Mawhinney	Scrabo Striders	Over 60
Colette Bohill		Over 60
Alastair Walker	Teviotdale Harriers	Over 65
Brenda Hanna	Tels Fitness	Over 65
Brian Stewart	North Belfast Harriers	Over 70
Violet Davidson	Ballydrain	Oldest Finisher

A RACE FOR ALL

With the podiums decided the spectators turned their attention to looking for friends and family. The race is a highlight for local runners many of whom do not belong to a club. This does not mean that they are not well able and plenty of fast times were recorded as the runners flooded in. Some were running to test their pace, some to see if they could run the distance with no speed in mind, others were raising funds, dedicating their run to causes – in short there were all sorts of reasons and all sorts of runners but they were united in their efforts and the thrill of crossing a line to cheers. The fact that they were then brought to tables laden with food was a big surprise as for so long hospitality has been withdrawn but with restrictions eased and a bit of careful planning the hosts were able to entertain their guests outside. Even the weather played ball by that stage as the rain had stopped and there were shreds of sunlight to lift the atmosphere. Jimmy’s 10K is always a memorable event but the 2022 event will definitely be lodged in people’s minds as the race that went ahead against all odds.

PHOTOS can be seen here https://www.flickr.com/photos/eastdownac/albums

RESULTS here https://athleticsni.org/Results

 

THANKS TO ALL

EDAC would like to pay tribute to their full list of sponsors; McMahon People Solutions, PCG Fitness, MC Dental Laboratories, Duffy’s Killough, JS Flooring, Murdock Brothers (Fuel), P. Gardiner Carpets, Bells Supervalu Crossgar, McDonalds Downpatrick, Gordons Chemists, Plus2print, Wrap & Roll, McVeigh Traffic Management, Soaring Productions and main sponsor M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants. The financial backing is what makes this race an event.

Thanks are also due to the members and even more so to those who are simply friends of the Club who give up their time to make the race happen. The hard graft that they put in cannot be underestimated. 

Finally last but not least there is heartfelt gratitude towards every single runner who signed up. Without runners there is no race! The smiles of the finishers and the kind words of support post race make all the hard work worthwhile. Well done and see you in 2023!

 

EDAC HOME RUNS

Apart from the relief of getting all the runners out and back safely there was plenty to celebrate from the home perspective. Neil McCartan taking the win was a real achievement and he was delighted to have ticked that box.  Aaron McGrady coming third was the icing on the cake. Other notable performances include the fact that Hannah Somani, despite having run several miles before the race as part of her build up to Manchester Marathon, still found the reserves to lead the EDAC ladies home in 41.30. Deirdre Weatherall had a strong run in 42.08 and Sharon Madine with 43.50 was the anchor leg to claim victory in the team event. This keeps the MB McGrady & Co Shield in the cabinet for the second year in a row. Deirdre also took the F35 prize so it was a good day out for her! Mackenzie Murray felt his legs were tired after the All Ireland XC the day before but still managed to post the quickest U20 time and he was awarded the Frank Cunningham Perpetual Shield. 

 

EDAC results

1	Neil	McCartan	0:30:51	MO
3	Aaron	McGrady	0:32:02	MO
32	Conaill	MacNabb	0:36:50	MO
35	Ciaran	Denvir	0:37:00	M35
39	Mackenzie	Murray	0:37:21	MJ
88	Hannah	Somani	0:41:30	FO
99	Deirdre	Weatherall	0:42:08	F35
107	Thomas	Brown	0:42:23	MJ
128	Adam	Morgan	0:43:49	MO
129	Sharon	Madine	0:43:50	F50
160	Eamon	Kelly	0:45:18	M45
177	Raymond	Milligan	0:46:07	M55
225	Gareth	Kelly	0:47:22	M40
240	Ryan	McVeigh	0:47:58	MO
251	Patrick	Smith	0:48:38	M50
264	John	Taylor	0:48:33	M45
267	Declan	Hampton	0:49:19	MJ
268	Maureen	Kelly	0:49:02	F50
317	Michael	Robinson	0:50:52	M40
319	Nuala	Taylor	0:51:16	F40
342	Suzy	Smith	0:51:52	F45
362	Malcolm	Leick	0:53:26	M65
363	Cathy	Burke	0:53:07	F45
364	Joanne	Carson	0:53:07	F45
381	Donal	Smith	0:54:45	M45
384	Joanne	Donaghy	0:54:36	F50
425	Mark	O’Connor	0:56:42	M50
438	Aine	Grant	0:57:29	F35
444	Helen	McGinley	0:57:59	F45
547	Samantha	Anderson	1:14:42	F50

 

In the Relay event Ollie Robinson and Jacob Crawford shrugged off their fatigue from the All Irelands XC the day before and fuelled by sugar from helping to set up the post race catering, they romped to victory in the Male Relay category a full minute ahead of the next pairing. Also in the relay, James Wright finding himself without a partner at the last minute, drafted in his mum Maureen Kelly and they had 90 seconds in hand over the next mixed team. Sometimes mums can be useful!

1	Ollie	Robinson	Jacob	Crawford	0:34:58
5	Niall	Gibney	Finn	Gibney	0:41:49
6	Maureen	Kelly	James	Wright	0:42:59

 

As well as those named in the list we had pacers at 40 minutes – Gordy Graham, 45 – Declan Teague, 50 – Gavin Hynds and 60 – Mark O’Connor. With the distance affected by the re routing, they had to rethink their approach but they still set out to carry runners along at their set paces and seemed to do the job so thanks to them for that.