Kevin Seaward Records Commonwealth Games Standard in Berlin
25 September 2017
Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s AC / Andrew Hobdell) became the fourteenth local athlete to secure a Commonwealth Games 2018 standard as he clocked an impressive 2:15:50 at yesterday’s Berlin Marathon (Sunday 24th September 2017).
His finish time was well inside the required 2:16:30 marathon standard and is the second quickest time Kevin has run over the classic distance; his 2:14:52 personal best was also run over the notoriously fast Berlin course in 2015.
Despite the wet and humid conditions, Kevin looked on target throughout, as he produced a well-paced effort, going through 10k in 32:24,13.1 miles in 1:07:55 and onwards towards the finish line, which he crossed in 2:15:50 (19th place).
AAI National Marathon Champion Laura Graham (Mourne Runners / Ryan Maxwell) and AAI National Half Marathon Champion Gladys Ganiel O’Neill (North Belfast Harriers / Matt Shields) produced quality performances and personal bests as they came exceptionally close to the ladies Gold Coast standard of 2:37:00.
Kilkeel based Laura, winner of the Belfast City Marathon earlier this year, slashed a massive four minutes and forty-one seconds off her previous best as she crossed the line in 2:37:05 (14th place). Gladys, winner of the recent Rock N’Roll Half Marathon, clocked 2:37:55 (15th place), taking fifty-two seconds off her previous 26.2 mile best.
The following Northern Ireland athletes have all reached the Commonwealth Games standard: Leon Reid (Birchfield Harriers / James Hillier), Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s / Michael O’Connor), Mollie Courtney (Cheltenham AC / David Warner), Ben Reynolds (North Down AC / Tom Reynolds), Ciara Mageean (UCD AC / Jerry Kiernan), Adam Kirk-Smith (Woodford Green Essex / Tomaz Plibersek), Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley AC / Niall Wilkinson), Dempsey McGuigan (Finn Valley AC / John Smith), Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders / Andrew Hobdell), Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie), Adam McMullen (Crusaders AC / Alan Kennedy), Amy Foster (City of Lisburn AC / David Reid) and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC / Richard Rodgers).
The qualification window for the Commonwealth Games 2018 closes at midnight on 30th September 2017.
Elsewhere this weekend…
Northern Ireland 10,000m and 5,000m Champion Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie) came a close second to former European XC Champion Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole AC) at the Blackrock 4 mile road race (Saturday 23rd September 2017). Fionnuala broke the tape in 21:04 (1st place), with Emma following in an excellent 21:21 for 2nd place.
NI & Ulster 10,000m Champion Eoghan Totten (Newcastle AC / Richard Rodgers) recorded a new 10k personal best whilst competing at the Swansea Bay 10k (Sunday 24th September 2017).
The Oxford University student, who faced a talent laden field, clocked an impressive 30:38 in less than favourable conditions. This bettered his previous best by fourteen seconds and was enough to see Eoghan finish in 5th place. He will now focus his attention on the London Marathon in April 2018.
In Dublin, Ballydrain Harriers athlete Denise Logue (Paul Pollock) secured a podium place at the Dublin City Half Marathon (Saturday 23rd September 2017), which is part of the Dublin Marathon Series. Denise claimed 3rd place at the Dublin Half Marathon in a personal best of 1:24:38.
Source: NiRunning