Personal, Professional, Exceptional – the mission statement of our main sponsors, John Minnis Estate Agents, could easily be applied to the man for whom the Bangor 10k has been rebranded as The Seaton Classic.
To be in the company of Davie Seaton is always a privilege and never a chore. He has given his life to athletics as an exceptional athlete, inspirational coach and indispensable administrator and whilst the man himself has joked about naming rights normally being ‘in memoriam’ we look forward to having him preside over ‘Davie’s Race’ for many years to come.
2024 winner, Brhane Gebrebrhan
The first edition will continue Bangor’s status as the N.I. & Ulster 10k Championship race, an Athletics NI event, in association with Ards and North Down Borough Council, with the cream of local talent expected to descend on Castle Park this Saturday, for a 10.15 start. Amongst a sell out field of 1500 athletes and a whole host of flying machines, Andrew Milligan (North Belfast Harriers) certainly has the pedigree to challenge for the title, having previously claimed victory in 2023 (30:27) and holds the fastest 10k PB in the field, 29:13 at Valencia, earlier this year.
Craig McMeechan (Photo by Steven Donegan)
Local hopes will, as ever, be pinned upon Craig McMeechan (North Down). The Bangor man has never finished on the podium in his home town race, but will feel that this is his year, especially after a 5k PB (14:19) at Queens and victory in the 5000m at the NI Championships (14:57.72). North Down back up will come in the shape of the Murray brothers, Dale and Ross, whilst Mark Carberry and Ollie Playfair will travel back from Scotland to boost the team effort.
Connor Rogers the Welsh based Annadale strider has a sub 31 to his credit from earlier in the year, whilst his club mate, Cameron Stewart, took third spot on the podium last year and could tilt the team trophy balance in favour of Striders, should he continue the form which claimed top spot at the Lisburn 10k in June.
Stephen McAuley
Fresh from his win at the Belfast Half Marathon, Stephen McCauley (Letterkenny) will hope to improve on a sixth place finish at last years Bangor 10k and has added a 2:26 Valencia marathon to his CV since then. As a schoolboy, Tom Fleming (Loughview) claimed an exceptional seventh place last year in 31:55 and will be full of confidence having claimed his first senior cross country crown, at Armagh last Sunday. Also returning after top ten finishes in 2024 are Jordan Heron (Larne) winner at the Fairhill 5 mile (26:11) and Larne 10 miler (55:48), whilst Conor Gallagher (Candour) boasts a 31:22 PB and was ninth last time out, in 31:58.
Conan McCaughey (NBH) claimed the NI 10000m championships in June, with a time of 31:20.24. Stephen Connolly (Striders) was the silver medalist on that occasion (32:53.20) but went one better at the Belfast Marathon, taking the title in 2:29:30 and set his 10k PB (31:20) in March. Cathaoir Purvis (Candour), Robbie Hagen (Newcastle) and David Spalding (Ballydrain) will all be at the sharp end of proceedings, likewise John Craig (Striders) and Candour’s recent recruit from Australia, Tom Elfenbein, who boasts a 14:09 5k.
2024 podium – (L-R) Ivana Anderson, Hannah Gilliland & Robyn McKee
For the ladies title, past form would suggest Hannah Gilliland (Annadale). The 2024 champion claimed the crown in a time of 35:17, before taking her PB down to 33:24 at the Seeley Cup, in November. Her domination continued into 2025, with wins at the Queens 5k (16:06), Lisburn 10k (33:58) and perhaps most impressively, at the prestigious Raheny 5 miler, in a time of 26:34.
However, amongst the challengers this time around will be Emily Haggard-Kearney, formerly based in Merseyside, but now a North Belfast Harrier, with a 10k best of 32:42. Lea Adamson (Annadale) was second behind Gilliland at the Queens 5k (16:21) and is in fine 10k form, having claimed victories at the Craic (34:23) and Belfast Women’s (36:10) events, whilst Dundalk based Aine Cotter set her PB at the Irish 10k Championships, in Dunboyne, with a time of 35:15.
Alan Massey & Steph Graham
Local hopes may rest with Ivana Anderson (Unattached) However, the talented Bangor lady has had an injury affected year since her podium performance at the 2024 championships and although capable, will be under no pressure to repeat that performance. The ever consistent Catherine O’Connor (East Down) will hope to continue the form which brought wins at Jimmy’s 10k (36:21) and Bay Road 5k (17:10), whilst 2012 champion, Gladys Ganiel (NBH) will look to build on impressive podium performances at Craic 10k (36:18), Larne 10 miler (61:07) and Belfast Marathon (2:45:46).
Sarah McNutt (NBH), Eimear McCracken (Annadale) and Harriet Buswell (NBH) could all have a key role in deciding the team prize whilst, with 143 athletes entered, the host club will hope to pick up a team podium in one or possibly both categories.
Of course the flying machines at the front usually grab the headlines. However, it’s worth noting that when the Bangor 10k returned to the racing calendar, back in 2005, the event offered some savage racing at the sharp end of proceedings, but only two hundred (mostly male) athletes took part. In the past couple of years, sell out fields of 1000+ have featured equal numbers of male and female club runners, charity fundraisers and all sorts of new running groups that have made the event a huge source of pride for everyone at North Down AC. We are also indebted year on year to the goodwill of the local residents, the generosity of our sponsors and enthusiasm of our club members, who turn out in huge numbers to assist before, during and after the big day, with all manner of jobs, some as obscure as speed ripening 1000 green bananas!
In anticipation of race day David Seaton stated “I’d like to welcome one and all to Bangor for the upcoming NI & Ulster 10k Championships, and wish you the very best of luck. It will be a particularly proud day for my family and I, given the recent rebrand. This race has been a big part of my life down the years and I am absolutely delighted to have received this prestigious honour.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the organisation of the event, and to acknowledge John Minnis Estate Agents for their ongoing sponsorship.”
Race sponsor, John Minnis added “We are delighted to once again partner with North Down Athletic Club as the main sponsor of the NI & Ulster Championship Seaton Classic 10K. At John Minnis Estate Agents, we believe in the power of community, health and sporting spirit, and this event embodies all of those.
The Seaton Classic 10K is more than a race. It brings people together, from seasoned runners to newcomers, families and volunteers, along one of Northern Ireland’s most scenic coastal routes. Supporting it gives us the chance to contribute back to Bangor and the wider area we serve.
We look forward to cheering on every participant on 27th September and seeing this year’s event set new records in enthusiasm, camaraderie and participation.”
