County Down road race announces new route designed for achieving personal bests

Finnebrogue Artisan signs three-year partnership with one of County Down’s largest & most popular road races. The Jimmy’s 10k road race will take place on 12^th March 2023 in Downpatrick, and will include a new faster and flatter route overlooking scenic River Quoile to mark its 24th year.

East Down Athletics Club announced that Finnebrogue Artisan will be the new headline partner for the 2023 Jimmy’s 10k road race, which they’ve hosted in Downpatrick for the past 23 years.

The leading UK food producer, based in Downpatrick, will take over the headline partnership from M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants from 2023, with a new three-year contract covering 2023 – 2025 Jimmy’s 10k races. A key part of Finnebrogue’s role will be to support the race organisers with race promotions and enhance the race day experience. Downpatrick’s largest employer will also provide goodie bags to early bird registrants and host a tasty bbq for all runners using their Better Naked range, which is gluten-free and made without artificial preservatives.

COMMENTING ON THE PARTNERSHIP, ANTHEA MCAULEY, FINNEBROGUE’S COMMUNICATION’S MANAGER SAID:

“As one of the largest employers in the Downpatrick area, we are thrilled to be supporting Jimmy’s 10k which has become one of the town’s important flagship events. The race attracts hundreds of runners of all abilities and is a must-attend event for running clubs across Northern Ireland and even further afield.

“We look forward to working with the organisers to make 2023 bigger and better – and are challenging local businesses to get behind this brilliant community event and enter a corporate team. We’ll certainly have one or two on the day – maybe one from each of our factories!

“Entry is capped at 800, and with post-covid enthusiasm for racing, we expect Jimmy’s 10k to sell out quickly.”

The 24th Jimmy’s 10k road race will be held on Sunday 12^th March 2023, with a new route announced.

COMMENTING ON THE NEW RACE ROUTE, JOE QUINN MBE, EAST DOWN ATHLETICS CLUB, SAID:

“When I held a small event in 1999 in memory of Jimmy Murray, I never imagined it would grow into Jimmy’s 10K – one of the most prestigious and popular road races in the Northern Irish athletics calendar.

“The race is traditionally the season opener for most runners and in 2023 we are excited to unveil a new route with our new race partner, Finnebrogue Artisan.

“The new route will be flat and fast, which is perfect for achieving personal bests.

“Starting in Market Street, runners will follow a route through Downpatrick (no Cathedral hill!) and along Quoile Road, overlooking the scenic River Quoile.”

Registration for Jimmy’s 10k will open on 16th December with entries online at www.eastdownac.co.uk or www.athleticsni.org

Early bird tickets are priced from £17.00 until 31^st January 2023, with a limited number of Finnebrogue goodie bags available to very early birds! Tickets from £20 thereafter. Ticket price includes chip timing, Jimmy 10k 2023 t-shirt, water and post-race bbq. Generous prizes for first, second and third male and female respectively – £200 / £125 / £75. total prize fund £1250.

All race enquiries can be made to racedirector@eastdownac.co.uk and full details will be available at www.eastdownac.co.uk/EDAC