East Down AC Notes For Sunday 1 12 24
Seeley Cup 10k 2024
Saturday afternoon saw the last big 10k of the road running season in Belfast. The Seeley Cup which was first run in 1982, commemorates an outstanding local athlete, Hollywood man Joe Seeley of Willowfield Harriers who died at a young age writes Martin Willcox.
The annual 10k race which starts on the Ormeau embankment and covers a number of laps of the embankment and Ormeau Park and always attracts a top class field every year. With cool breezy conditions PBs were on the cards and with this fast flat course.
East Down had a big turn out of 33 athletes on the start line, after a club photo and a good warm up they were all ready for the off with 807 other runners.
The results:
16th Aaron MCGrady 32 min 04 sec (first EDAC Male home)
72nd Neil Curran 35 min 10 sec
76th Adam Withers 35 min 15 sec
108th Catherine O’Connor 36 min 03 sec (first EDAC Lady home, Third lady home)
146th Matt Bezzant 36 min 58 sec
170th Paul Burns 37 min 26 sec
206th Hannah Somani 37 min 55 sec
210th Joe Napier 38 min 04 sec (New PB)
224th Barrie Atkinson 38 min 15 sec
330th Dee Murray 40 min 13 sec
382th Jonathan Gelston 41 min 29 sec
403rd Eamon kelly 41 min 46 sec
455th Niamh Kellett 43 min 00 sec
492nd James Wright 43 min 43 sec
522nd John Hanna 44 min 35 sec (New PB)
537th Stephen Heasley 44 min 58 sec
545th Seamus Savage 44 min 53 sec
553nd Sharon Madine 44 min 58 sec
566th Kieran Keown 45 min 53 sec (New PB)
585th John Tayor 46 min 01 sec
640th Paddy McDonald 48 min 25 sec
649th Marcus Wiseman 49 min 05 sec
678th Nuala Taylor 49 min 31 sec
722th Tom McClean 52 min 17 sec
727th Ashley McGrady 52 min 21 sec
729th Lesley Keown 52 min 40 sec (New PB)
730th Maureen Kelly 52 min 43 sec
736th Matthew Taylor 53 min 19 sec
740th Clare Forester 53 min 29 sec
744th Alison Carroll 54 min 04 sec
747th Janine Murray 54 min 09 sec
770th Marguerite Robinson 56 min 32 sec
773rd Wayne Giles 56 min 40 sec
This was a great team turn out, with 4 Personal Bests and a podium place for Catherine O’Connor, well done all.
East Down AC Club Awards and Dinner
Later on that Saturday evening, after a good warm down and a shower, all runners and their supporters gathered in Denvirs Hotel in Downpatrick for the clubs annual Dinner and club awards.
he five categories who are all voted for by club members are Male Athlete of the year, Female Athlete of the year, best improved Male, best improved Female and club Person of the year.
After a well needed dinner the awards were presented by the Club Chairperson Stephen Heasley.
Club Male Athlete of the Year -Philip Vint.
Club Female Athlete of the Year -Caroline McNabb.
Best Improved Male– Daniel Giles.
Best Improved female– Ashley McGrady.
Club Person of the Year– Paul Burns.
A great night was had, with plenty of shapes being thrown on the dance floor with some very sore legs. A big Club Thank you goes out to Suzy Smith and James Magennis for organising a great event.
