ENTRIES are flooding in for this year’s Jimmy’s Ten road race which takes place at 11am on Sunday, March 17, in Downpatrick.
The race is the main sporting event in the St Patrick’s Festival week and is one of the top races of its kind in the NI running calendar.
Thanks to continued generous sponsorship from M B McGrady & Co, Chartered Accountants, a very attractive list of prizes is on offer.
The prize money of £250 for first male and female, prizes for the top five male and female finishers and first in all age categories should attract a top quality field.
A £50 bonus will be paid if anyone betters the current records of 30.20 male and 34.17 female.
As well as receiving a special T-shirt and goodie bag, every finisher will be entered in a draw for a £500 cash prize.
The race will start at the earlier time of 11am due to the St. Patrick’s Day parade taking place later in the day. The host club, East Down AC, and Down Council invite runners to bring their family and friends to cheer them on and then make a day of it in Downpatrick.
Online registration is now open at www.athleticsni.org and with entries limited to 600 runners are urged to so get in early to ensure their place.
As a special incentive to enter in advance, the organisers have given the unique undertaking to carry over entries to next year for anyone unable to run for whatever reason. So everyone can enter with confidence.
Entries will be taken on the day only if the limit has not been reached and then only at an increased fee.
Pacers will again be provided for sub 40, sub 45, sub 48, sub 50, and sub 60 targets.
Parking in and around the town will be restricted but following on from their successful introduction at the London Olympics local ‘Gamesmakers’ will be on hand to direct and help all visitors to find car parking spaces, direct to registration and start areas, etc.
To ease possible congestion, running numbers, timing chips and goodie bags, including T-shirts, can be collected at Down Leisure Centre on Friday, March 15, from 4.00pm, Saturday from 12pm onwards and on the morning of the race from 9am.
The route is over a scenic, accurately measured and well marshalled course.
Refreshments for all competitors will be available in Down Leisure Centre later.
Further information is available at www.eastdownac.co.uk, or from Joe Quinn on 07933 214894, email joemarathon50@btinternet.com.