Thursday 5th May saw Striders take on Slieve Binnian in the 4th race of the Hill & Dale series put on by Newcastle & District Athletics Club. The race which was just over 2 miles long and was entirely uphill resulting in 1800ft of climbing was well attended with Zak Hannah clinching victory in just over 22 minutes.

The first Strider to cross the line was James Lappin in a very impressive time of 30:42 resulting in 3nd place in the MV45 category and 17th overall. Naomi Montgomery was the sole lady strider in attendance and Naomi completed the challenging course in 45:36. Congratulations, impressive running.

Friday 6th was all about the Run the Runways race which was organised and hosted by Scrabo Striders. The race meeting was held at the Newtownards Flying Club on the Portaferry Road and comprised a Kids 2k race together with a 5 & 10K race around the runways. The Club would like to congratulate the race director, Dawn Ross on organising an excellent event which provided legendary post race hospitality and all round a great atmosphere, despite difficult weather conditions.

First up was the 2K Kids race which was officially measured and chip timed. Ollie Hanna was first Junior Strider across the line in an impressive 07:35 followed by Harry Harper in 09.20 and Adam Haylett in 09:59. Faye Alexander was the first female junior strider in 10:03 with William Murphy and Rory Braniff finishing in 10:07 & 10:40 respectively. All breaking 12 minutes were Eva Alexander, Scarlett Thompson, Liam Robinson and Edward Farrelly. Lucas Thompson, Lydia Blair, Ellie Barnes and Daniel Barnes completed the race in less than 13 minutes. Lyla McNamara, Aimee Braniff, Amelia Henderson and Joel Boyd completed the course in under 14 minutes. Congratulations to all of the children. A great Junior Strider turn out.

Next up was the 5k Race which was one lap of the runway course. The First Male Strider to cross the line was Colin Harper in a time of 19.27 followed closely by Tim McEwan in 20:04 and Luke Braniff in 20:50 (PB). The first female 5k finisher was Catherine Cauley in 21:13, followed by Andrea Thompson in 22:38 (PB). The immediate past ladies captain, Barbara McKechnie in 22:39 (PB) rounded off the top 3 ladies.

The first Strider across the line in the 10K saw Norman Mawhinney finish in 37:31, narrowly missing out on an all-time PB. Norman was followed by Andy Haylett in 39:56 and Neil Mearns in 40:09. The fastest lady in the 10K was Caroline Dwyer in 54:29 followed by Nicola McNamara in 57:56 and Lorraine Adams in 58:03.

The Race boasted a massive 31 personal bests over the 5k & 10K races.

In the 5K, the following members recorded their fastest ever time. Gary Clarke 22:50, Emma Clements 22:51, Ben McCracken 22:50, Jenny Taylor 23:10, Gareth Clarke 23:23, Riley Hanna 23:29, Bobby McGonigal 24:03, Gayle Malough 24:47, Louise Barnes 25:56, Judith Boyd 27:52, Jenna Lavery 28:56, Karen Farrelly 29:29, Hannah Robinson 29:30, Emma McCracken 29:48, Cathy Dobbin, 30:17, Kim Cochrane 31:01, Judith Garrett 31:25, Elaine McGinigal 32:56 and Natasha Graham 33:28.

In the 10k, Neil Mearns 40:09, Michael Johnston 43;22, Connor McNamara 43:53, Jonathan Bull 45:36, Michael Burgess 46:11, George McGonigal 50:51, Nicola McNamara 57:56, Lorraine Adams 58:03 and Kaelie Black 01:07:55.

Saturday saw members returning to their respective Parkruns. Kim Cochrane achieved a new PB in Downpatrick at Dunleath Playing Fields in an impressive 32:20. Over in Bangor, one of our youngest members, Layla Rose McNamara achieved a PB of 39:12. Eva Coey rounded off the PBs for the Striders at Victoria Park in 25:55.

In Orangefield, Shannon Clegg was the 2nd female finisher in a new CPB of 22:38. Catherine Cauley continued her impressive form from Friday night by achieving a new CPB and came in second female at Stormont in 20:57.

Our furthest travelling Strider this week saw Coach Abrar Hossain travel to Hamburg, Germany to attend the Alstervorland Parkrun. Well done Abrar!

Not to be outdone by the adults, the junior Striders attended the Comber Junior Parkrun and Bangor Junior Parkruns on Sunday Morning.

Riley Hanna was 2nd finisher in comber with a new PB of 08:11. Willow Farrington was the first female and Bobby McGonigal ran a superb 09:05 Personal Best. Also, in Comber, Eva Coey was the 2nd Female in 09:35 closely followed by Saoirse Collins in 09:38 which was 3rd female and a new PB.

Luke & Rory Braniff were the only 2 junior striders over at Bangor with Luke running a new course PB of 08:03.

On Sunday 8th Liam Rodger attempted the Part 2 of the We Run Wild Castle Trilogy which saw runners run from Belfast Castle to Carrickfergus Castle with a total distance of 26+ miles. Unfortunately for Liam, an injury which he picked up before Belfast Marathon brought an end to his Castle Challenge. Liam was able to complete over 21miles which is a great achievement, nonetheless. Congratulations Liam, rest up.

Scrabo Striders meet on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.15pm for coach led sessions usually at Londonderry Park Newtownards. Striders also meet on Fridays at 6.30pm and Sundays at 9.00am for social runs which are not coach led.