Record number contest Jimmy’s

15 March 2017

A DULL, damp start gave way to dry, even sunny and mild conditions as Jimmy’s Ten hit the road again on Sunday with a record breaking 908 finishers enjoying the early spring warmth while taking in the unique sights of Downpatrick and the surrounding area.

In the absence of last year’s winners, there was always going to be a new name on the Jimmy Murray Memorial Shield.

Fittingly, it was St Malachy’s athlete Ben Branagh, who followed in the illustrious footsteps of his coach, Joe McAllister, who won the race a record six times. Chris Hamill was second and in third place was Newcastle’s David O’Flaherty

Last year’s runner-up, Laura Graham, the current Irish marathon champion who seems to improve with every outing and who I predict will qualify for future Olympic selection, improved on last year’s showing to claim the top prize in 34.59, well clear of Willowfield’s Amy Bulman with North Down’s Rachel Gibson in third.

Ballydrain’s Denise Logue took the over 35 prize with Louise Smith (North Belfast) claiming the over 45 crown and Ballydrain’s Ruth Perioli the over 55 top spot. Maurice King, a regular prizewinner at Jimmy’s Ten over the years, was again on the podium as winner of the over 65 category.

First junior lady for the third year in a row was East Down’s Laura Gardiner, while Matthew McGrattan was hugely impressive in taking the junior male prize with a blistering 38.56

There were many personal bests on the day by East Down athletes and I will cover in greater detail next week.

However, two groups deserve special mention. The first of these is a group of caring young women who decided to raise money towards local young mother Nicola Feenan’s treatment, under the title Help Nicola beat MS.

And with Nicola’s sister Gillian to the fore, they started off in the depth and darkness of winter, when even dogs were not being put out, under the guidance and coaching of Tracey McDowell.

Given that many of them had never ran before and for those who had it was just a distant, painful memory.

To their credit, they all completed not only the ups and downs of training to be road runners, but they also completed the 10K distance on Sunday.

I take my hat off to them all and sincerely hope that Nicola will quickly benefit from the treatment. We wish her good luck

A few months ago several of East Down’s former junior members got together to reminisce about the old days and came up with the idea of asking as many as possible of their era members to come and run Jimmy’s Ten in 2017 to meet afterwards and to talk about the old days.

And so was formed the East Down Oldies group, which was the easy bit. Because, several, if not all of those who expressed an interest in joining had not been in contact with anything resembling exercise for quite a while the idea of running 10K was quite a daunting prospect.

But as befits anyone who ever came under the influence of Jimmy Murray, they all settled down to some serious, and some not so serious, training.

The result was that John Rogan, Paul Lennon, Patricia Keating, Gary Cull, Padraig O’Hare, Mark Milligan, Chris Rooney, Gerard McLennon, Sean Keary and the man who alleges that no-one remembers him — I’ve forgotten his name — all took part in the race.

His name is actually Brian Kelly.

The high point of the day was the get together afterwards in the Mill at Ballydugan, where the group were joined by two legendary figures from the club’s golden past — Kieran McKibbin and Gerry Morgan.

I was privileged to have been a part of what turned out to be a night of unashamed nostalgia. For although Jimmy Murray was missing, his influence was everywhere and the regard with which he is held, even now almost 20 years since his untimely death, is humbling to feel.

The plans now are to contact as many as possible other members from that era to have them join and to increase the members in the group. Meantime, the focus is on the club’s 30th anniversary dinner in the Burrendale Hotel on November 11.

A huge vote of thanks is extended to everyone who helped towards the success of the day, with a special well done to the members who helped with the pre-race registration and the band of members and friends who worked so hard at the post race refreshments.

Thanks too to everyone who helped set up and dismantle the route signage and moved barriers and cones into and out of position as necessary and to all the volunteer marshals and to the PSNI personnel who ensured safe passage around the route.

Thanks are also extended to Kerry O’Flaherty, who was guest starter of the race; principal sponsor MB McGrady & Co, Chartered Accountants, and the other event sponsors; Dupes DVD and Video Duplication, who took some great shots from the drone; Translink who provided the transport to and from the relay handover point; Plus2Print who provide flyers, publicity, banners and signs to keep the public informed of the activities of the club not only for Jimmy’s Ten, but also for all coming events,; Docs Fish and Chips, Athlos Sportswear and Wrap and Roll who provided water for all participants.

Meanwhile, Edie Carroll was engaging in the thrills and spills that go to make up duathlons and earned herself a podium place in faraway Galway in the All-Ireland age 14/15 age category. Well done to her and speaking of far off performances, Michael McKeown completed the Barcelona Marathon on Sunday.

East Down is again organising several races for primary school children on St Patrick’s Day in Market Street, just before the festival parade arrives.

They plan to have races for P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 boys and girls. The race is sponsored by the local McDonald’s food outlet and all entrants will receive a fruit pack, drink and a medal.

The streets will be packed with spectators waiting for the parade so this is the chance to perform in front of a massive audience.

All of the races will begin and end near the St Patrick’s Centre and every child who intends to run must be at the start line by 1.15pm. The distinctive red East Down gazebo will be erected in the square to take entries and to provide a focal point for parents and children.

Further details on the club website www.eastdownac.co.uk.

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