Athletes from both Newcastle AC and East Down AC took part in Jimmy’s 10k recently. These are the reports from those clubs.
East Down AC Jimmy’s 10K
East Down AC OVER 700 athletes from across Ireland descended on Downpatrick on Sunday morning to kick off the St Patrick’s Day festivities with the 26th running of Jimmy’s 10k.
Jimmy’s is the first big 10k of the road racing year and always attracts a large crowd. With the new flat two-looped course, this event draws top club runners, charity runners and local first timers.
With last year’s winner Patrick Sheridan not racing, there would be another athlete on the first place podium for the men. In the ladies’ race, EDAC’s Catherine O’Connor was in the lead pack and a popular local favourite along with clubmate Caroline MacNabb.
With cold, damp conditions and the odd heavy shower, the race was set. The saying at East Down AC is ‘if you’re not running, you’re helping’, so all the club members were somewhere around the route or at the finish line. EDAC had 11 athletes on the start line.
From the gun, Newcastle’s AC’s Niall Goodman headed to the front and pushed the field hard, finishing well ahead of the field in 33 minutes, eight seconds. In the ladies’ race, EDAC’s Caroline MacNabb had a battle with Joanne Mills, but managed to pull away in the home straight, breaking the tape in 37 minutes and 57 seconds.
The first East Down AC athlete to cross the line was Thomas Magee, who took the U-20 title with a strong run in 37 minutes, 46 seconds.
The second EDAC member to finish was Catherine O’Connor, who ran a determined race after a lay-off, finishing fourth in the ladies’ race in 39 minutes and four seconds.
Next to cross the line was Martin Willcox, another athlete who has been off the road through injury. He will be very happy with his 39 minutes and 38 seconds time, thanks to the spot on pacing by Matt Bezzant and Adam Withers.
Not too far behind Martin was Matthew Taylor who worked hard to finish in a strong time of 40 minutes, six seconds. Adam Morgan was next in.
After his great run at Queen’s 5k, Adam put in another solid performance, clocking 41 minutes, 45 seconds.
Kieran Keown was the next male across the finish line. Not only did he run a great race in 46 minutes and 56 seconds, he filmed it as well.
EDAC’s Lisa Laird was not too far behind Kieran and will be happy with her run, crossing the line in 47 minutes, 35 seconds.
An old hand at Jimmy’s 10k is Janine Murray, who has run and helped out many times, and had a great run in 51 minutes and 57 seconds.
Bringing East Down AC home was Cliodhna Kelly, who enjoyed the race, finishing in one hour and six minutes.
The relay race this year featured 36 teams, with Carter and Seb coming first in 35 minutes dead.
Well done to the Jimmys 10k committee and all the marshalls, pacers and helpers who braved the very changeable weather conditions to make this a great running event for everyone.
And a big thank you to Finnerbrogue and all the local sponsors who support East Down AC year after year.
Newcastle AC Jimmy’s 10K
On Sunday, attention turned to the roads for Jimmy’s 10k, hosted by East Down AC, where blustery conditions made for a challenging race.
Despite the wind, Niall Goodman delivered a commanding performance to win the race in 33:08, leading home another strong showing from the Newcastle runners.
Newcastle and District AC results – Jimmy’s 10k:
1st – Niall Goodman – 33:08.
19th – Frank Cunningham –
37:49. 41st – Christopher King – 39:29.
96th – Alana Harper – 43:30.
100th – Stevie Toner – 44:01.
273rd – Gillian McNiff – 52:31.
294th – Anthony Quinn – 52:55.
312th – Declan O’Hare – 53:45.
313th – Sean Keary – 53:44.
