Jimmy’s 10k, organised by East Down Athletic Club and supported by M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants, returns to the streets of Downpatrick on Sunday 13th March. The opening race of the 2022 10k Grand Prix, and one of the first road running fixtures of the Athletics NI calendar, the run is expected to attract runners from across the country.
With numbers capped at 900, almost 80% of places have already been allocated with last year’s winners Gavin Corey, from Strive Racing Club and Tracey Atkinson, from North Belfast Harriers hoping to return to beat their time.
Mal McGrady, partner at M. B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Consultants, who are back supporting the race for the 12th year, comments: “Jimmy’s 10k is a hugely successful event for the local community and it is great to see the race returning to the streets of Downpatrick. This year, M.B. McGrady & Co. is celebrating 70 years in business, we’ve seen many changes in that time, but nothing quite like the past few years, so it’s refreshing to see popular community events like Jimmy’s 10K returning.
“With a deserved reputation as one of the flagship events on the region’s running calendar and one that has always been a hugely successful event for the local community, we are proud to support its return next month, with many of our staff and clients taking part in the race.”
East Down Athletics Club first established Jimmy’s 10km in 1999, in memory of Jimmy Murray, a Downpatrick school teacher and athletics enthusiast, who was one of the founding members of East Down AC in 1987.
Explaining how the event has grown in stature, East Down AC Chairman, Paul Burns adds:
“We’ve got exceptionally strong athletics clubs in County Down and the surrounding areas, which ensures a solid level of support from our local runners every year. This is then complemented by runners from across Northern Ireland who want to benchmark their times at the start of the season.
“The event’s March timing has really helped participation levels to grow as it marks the start of the competition season – being the first race in the 10k Grand Prix – and it’s the perfect training milestone for runners who are competing in the Belfast Marathon.
“We are attracting runners from across Northern Ireland and most people, even those from outside the running fraternity know of this event – and this has been made possible with the help of our continued support from local businesses and sponsors including M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants.
Jimmy’s 10k is taking place on Sunday 13th March 2022. Prizes are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female runners and age group winners. There are also team prizes for male, female and mixed relay teams.
To celebrate 70 years in business, M.B. McGrady & Co. will be rewarding runners that finish in 70th, 170th, 270th and 370th place, with a £70 sports voucher.
For further information on Jimmy’s 10k, please see www.EastDownAC.co.uk.