Past pupil (2002) and St. Malachy’s AC member Kevin Seaward has been chosen to represent Ireland in the marathon in the Olympic Games in Rio in August. Seaward is the current Irish No 1 marathon runner with a time of 2.14.52 from Berlin in September 2015. He is part of a three man team that was confirmed by Athletics Ireland on Monday 23rd August. He also had the good news of being picked for the half marathon at the European Championships in July.
It has been a long road to Rio for Seaward who got his start in running nearly 20 years ago as a junior pupil in the College under the tutelage of Dr. John Morrin and more notably Mr Paddy McKillop. A talented footballer in his youth, his running gradually improved in his time at the College and he had a promising junior career, representing Ireland at U20 in Cross Country. He remained one of the top Irish runners on the track, roads and cross country over the following decade, but he really found his niche when he moved to the marathon. An excellent debut time of 2.18.46 in Manchester in 2014 saw him selected for the European Championships that summer. However it was his clocking in Berlin that really catapulted him into the spotlight, putting him firmly at the top of the Irish marathon rankings and ultimately sealing his place in Rio.
An obviously delighted Seaward was keen to express his gratitude to St. Malachy’s College saying “huge thanks to St. Malachy’s College /AC and the hard work of the dedicated coaching staff, without their unwavering voluntary work after school I would never have found my way on the road to Rio!”
The Loughborough (Leicestershire) based school teacher was at a parents evening when he took the call that confirmed his selection. He was keen to encourage young athletes involved in athletics. According to Seaward “I didn’t win a race until sixth form. Running is about taking enjoyment from the fact that you can run and with consistency you will achieve your best from the sport.”