The full schedule and dates have been confirmed for this year's Cinema Coffee 10k Grand Prix.
Northern Ireland’s leading series of 10km running races is back after a three-year hiatus.
And the 17-race event is boosted by a new title sponsor in coffee brand Cinema Coffee.
The 10k Grand Prix, which is coordinated by ChampionChip Ireland, will feature an enhanced £10,000 prize fund this year for individuals and teams and will get underway with the Jimmy’s 10k in Downpatrick on March 13.
The prize structure includes cash prizes for the top two runners in the under-35s category as well as prizes for the overall fastest male and female competitors.
These are in addition to the cash prizes awarded to the top 25 finalists in the series and race-day bonuses awarded to the top three runners across the finish line.
Each race in the Cinema Coffee 10K Grand Prix is timed and ranked using an age-graded scoring system, meaning the series is carefully designed to take account of gender, age and ability. It is open to individual competitors as well as six-person club teams free of charge.
Each runner’s ranking is maintained in an overall leaderboard after each race and individual runners must complete at least six of the 17 races to feature on the official leaderboard. With regard to teams, each of the four team members must complete at least six of the 17 races.
The last Grand Prix series in 2019 was won by Tommy Hughes, who represented Ireland in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, and featured more than 1,100 runners across ages and abilities.
Races this year include old favourites such as the Craic 10k and the Seeley Cup 10k. More recent additions that are part of the Grand Prix this year include Larne 10k on July 2 and Feile 10K in August.
Patrick McAliskey, director of Lurgan-headquartered Cinema Coffee, said: “Runners are mad about coffee, and Cinema Coffee is mad about running.
"So this is a fantastic partnership that helps Cinema Coffee promote its brand to potential customers and allows us to help the Grand Prix get back to where it should be, as a firm fixture in the running calendar in Northern Ireland.
"We’re really excited about the Grand Prix this year, which offers a very attractive prize fund and the chance to compete against a wide range of runners across abilities.”
In addition to title sponsor Cinema Coffee, the 2022 Cinema Coffee 10k Grand Prix is supported by associate sponsor Forestside Shopping Centre, Athletics Northern Ireland and Keep Fit Ireland.
To register for the 2023 Cinema Coffee 10K Grand Prix or to view the full race schedule, visit www.cinemacoffee10k.com
Series events and dates
- Jimmy’s 10K - March 13
- SPAR Craic 10K - March 17
- Titanic Quarter 10K - April 3
- Portadown 10K - May 15
- Banbridge 10k - May 25
- Newry City 10k - May 29
- Vitality Membership Lisburn 10K - June 22
- Larne AC Coast Road 10K - July 2
- Feile 10K - August 7
- Storming the Castle 10K - August 21
- Laganside 10K - September 4
- NI and Ulster Championship Bangor 10K - September 24
- Crossgar 10K - Date TBC
- Born2Run, Minnowburn 10K - Date TBC
- Run in the Dark 10K Mid-November 2022 - Date TBC
- Seeley Cup 10K December 2022 – Date TBC
- Les Jones Memorial 10K Sept 2022 – Date TBC
