Jimmy’s 10 2023

The 23rd edition of the popular and highly regarded Jimmy’s 10K took place on Sunday starting in Market Street and finishing at the host club East Down AC’s Club Rooms. The event was sponsored by Finnebrogue Artisan who not only funded the generous prize pot but also supplied the Better Naked sausages for a post race BBQ which was on offer to all the runners and spectators and went down a treat.

New Route

The route for 2023 was devised as a flatter and faster course with no hill up around the Cathedral and no towpath stretches. It incorporated a 2 mile loop which was repeated mid race before returning to the town to make up the measured 10K distance. There were over 600 runners taking part with a mix of speed merchants and fun runners and everything in between. With some notable names the Men’s title was in hot contention. Zak Hanna (Newcastle AC) had been selected as part of the NI & Ulster Team for the Inter Counties XC in Peterborough but the snow that fell on Thursday into Friday scuppered that plan as his travel arrangements were cancelled. Owen Carleton (Annadale Striders) who was 2nd last year was back to have a go. Add in the fact that Robbie Hagan (Tels Fitness) who has been on some podiums recently had also entered and it looked very interesting. The race started 10.30 on the button and the stream of coloured vests and t-shirts surging down the main thoroughfare of the town was a sight to behold. 

Race photos – Credit to Ryan McDonald Photography

Zak goes for Glory

Zak wasn’t long stamping his authority on the race. Better known as a mountain runner of international status it could have been that the flat tarmac wasn’t his forte but with long strides he seemed to almost float as he covered the first loop of the Strangford Road. Robbie wasn’t giving in without a fight and he hung on hoping for a sign of fatigue from the front runner. He was also aware of Owen breathing down his neck. There were some updates announced back at the finish but the spectators couldn’t quite believe it when word came that Zak was tearing past the Down Leisure Centre on his return. He came into sight at the finish and was grinning with delight as he raised the finish tape above his  head in victory. His time of 31.14 was not quick enough for the bonus cash but with £200 for the Overall Win he was happy enough. Robbie came in 2nd in 32.10 with Owen taking 3rd spot in 32.13. Anthea McAuley representing Finnebrogue Artisan handed the Jimmy Murray Memorial Trophy to Zak Hanna and informed him that as winner he has a free entry to Jimmy’s 10 2024. Zak was fulsome in his praise of the course, the marshals and the organisation of the event so it seems he was a satisfied customer all round. The icing on the cake for him was finding out that Newcastle AC had won the Men’s Team Prize. Lindsay Gordon, Neil McGeough and Philip Murdock finished in 10th, 11th and 36th places to seal the deal. Well done Zak and the rest of the team!

The Ladies’ Podium

East Down AC managed to get 2 ladies on the podium which is a first for the club at Jimmy’s 10K. Anna Gardiner was the First Female home in a gutsy run. She was fresh from taking a Gold medal at the All Ireland Schools the day before but seemed to have energy to burn. She ran alongside her club mate Caroline MacNabb for the first 7K with neither able to make a decisive move. Caroline not that long returned from maternity leave has had some good results recently and was certainly motivated to go all out but in the end Anna eased enough of a gap to break the invisible cord which seemed to bind them together and with a well timed push the youngster got away. Anna crossed the line arms in the air in 38.10, elated to have taken the win and Caroline, game to the last, not far behind in 38.23. The podium was completed by Fiona McQuillan of North Down AC who was very pleased with her run.

Anna will have her name engraved on the Joe Quinn Perpetual Trophy which is very apt as Joe would have been very much involved in the coaching when Anna first joined the club as “wee Anna”. With Anna and Caroline at the top of the rankings it was no surprise to find that East Down AC had retained the Female Team title. The final part of their jigsaw was Sharon Madine who finished in 44.11 a new personal best that ranked her a creditable 127th. Well done all!

 Other Winners

Jimmy’s 10K is unusual in that it offers prizes to winners of age categories all the way from U20 to Over 70. Jacob Crawford (EDAC) took the U20 prize in 37.45 in his first official 10K. A great run by him. The unstoppable Pat Rocks of Newry City Runners had an amazing 45.21 time for his Over 70 win. The Male Relay was won by Ricky Jordan and Riley Hanna of Scrabo Striders in the fastest relay time overall (42.20) and EDAC duo Sarah Gilchrist and Cara Napier were victorious in the Female Relay class. The time difference between first and last runner was almost 60 minutes but every single person who crossed the line was greeted with a cheer and the feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive. 

Thanks to all involved

This is very gratifying as the work that goes into this event is monumental. It takes an army of volunteers to bring it from vision to reality. The Jimmy’s 10 Committee would like to thank all the members and friends of the Club who pitched in in the days before and on the day itself as without this manpower the race could simply not take place. They would also like to thank the clubs and runners who came to participate and the businesses and the people of the town who voiced their support. They are also very appreciative of the sponsorship from Finnebrogue Artisan both financially and the ideas that they brought to the table to enhance the event. Time for a rest before it all begins again for 2024.