East Down AC at Seeley 10K

East Down AC at Seeley 10K

6 December 2023

ON Saturday, 842 runners took part in the Joe Seeley Memorial 10K in what was the 38th running of this annual event hosted by Willowfield Harriers.

The Seeley Cup is seen as the culmination of the NI road racing season and attracts athletes from across the UK with its fast, flat course which starts on the Ormeau embankment, with two and a bit laps of Ormeau Park, and finishes in the centre of the park.

For those watching and racing, it was a very cold and sharp day but the rain held off, so some fast times were expected.

A top quality field toed the start line with Olympian Paul Pollock heading the field. 

East Down AC had eight athletes in the mix and from the gun Catherine O’Connor went to the front of the field. 

Catherine has had a great season on and off the road and finished off in style with a personal best time of 35:05 in 107th position and fifth lady home in a very strong field. 

Adam Withers was next across the line. Adam has had a great year on the road/track and mud and will be pleased with his time of 35:44. 

Since joining the club, Matt Bezzant has had some strong performances over the past year and had another strong run in 36:24. 

A man for all seasons and races, Dee Murray put in another great run for the club with a time of 38:20, and not far behind Dee was James Cuffey, who has turned his hand to all terrains this year and finished with a strong 10K time of 38:31. 

Seamus Savage has led the way as men’s team captain this year and he crossed the line in 386th position in a new personal best time of 40:41. Jonathan Gelston was the next red and yellow vest to break the tape and he will be happy with his efforts and time of 41:23. 

Wayne Giles loves the atmosphere of the big races and being a part of the team. 

He enjoyed the event and brought the club home in 55;02. 

The race was won by Annadale Striders’ Paul Pollock in 29:59 – a great time and a well ran event by Willowfield Harriers.

To finish the year, East Down AC will be holding its annual predicted time trial 5K at the Downshire on December 21, followed by the ever-popular Castlewellan Christmas Cracker.