NEWBIE STRIDERS FLY THE PURPLE FLAG

Newbie strider Jennifer McAteer started her week completing “Summer Solstice 6 hour challenge” as part of the EAMS 360 Series.  The series consists of 4 races taking place in and around the equinoxes and solstices and sees competitors completing as many 4.2 mile loops as they can in the allotted time.  The events are taking place at Loughshore Park, Jordanstown.  Following a fantastic run in the first race of the series  “Spring Equinox 6 Hour Challenge” back in March which saw her finish 1st Female after completing 29.5 miles she had another steady run completing 4 laps and totting up a total of 16.8miles.  We wish her luck with the rest of the series!

Friday 17th June Striders took to the streets of Comber for the annual Comber 10k hosted by Ballydrain Harriers Athletics Club.  Unlike previous years, weather conditions were bearable for the 2 lap course which started beside Comber Cricket Club and finished in Comber’s picturesque town square.  First home for Striders was Martin Strachan in a very impressive 36:26.  This was not only Martins first Official Race for the Club since recently joining but also his first time running the course.  Hot on his heels Thomas Steele finished with a Personal Best of 36:47 with local legend Norman Mawhinney winning his age category in a time of 37:41.  Next to cross the finish line was David Parkinson in 39:25 followed by Men’s Vice Captain Andy Haylett in 39:30.  Completing the flat course in under 45 minutes were Colin Harper in a time of 40:55, Daniel Clarke with a Personal Best of 41:24, Jonny Kinney in 41:38, Justin Clegg  with a Personal Best of 41:41, Michael Johnston in 43:23, Shannon Clegg in 43:58 and Peter Stevens in 44:17.  Victoria Atkinson was just over the 45minute mark in a time of 45:05 followed by Jonathan Winter in 46:21 and Peter Gray with a Personal Best of 46:57.  The sea of purple continued with Gary Clarke (PB 47:13), Jenny Taylor (PB 47:33), Stephen Gargan (47:44), Michael Burgess (47:59), Olli Seeger (PB 48:02), Barbara Mckechnie (48:24), Peter Briggs (PB 48:41), Andrea Thompson (49:06), Mark Leathem (49:07), Chris Murdock (49:13), Chris Millar (49:24), Richard Bovill (49:48), Amanda Martin (CPB 50:15), George McGonigal (PB 51:03), Leanne Campbell (51:51), Cheryl Mulholland (52:36), Hector Adair (52:41), Clare McIlveen (PB 52:50), Caroline Wilson Dwyer (53:13), Alison Busby (53:18), Lyndsey Blair (53:20), Heath Graham (PB 53:25), Steven Pearson (53:46), Martina Finn (54:40), Holly Lane (55:19), Louise Barnes (56:12), Kerrie Fox (56:44), Ken Rodgers (56:48), Claire Briggs (57:31), Beverley Mckee (PB 57:46), Michelle Innis (PB 58:19), Wendy Thompson (CPB 58:46), Linda Dugan (59.09), Judith Boyd (59:17), Sonya Summersgill (59:17), Ashley Gilliland (59:54), Emma McCracken (PB 59:59), Vanessa Mannis (CPB 1:00:00), George Johnston (1:00:09), Karen Farrelly (PB 1:00:13), Gavin McDonnell (1:00:13), Laureen Neill (1:00:43), Catherine Lavery (1:00:47), Jenna Lavery (PB 1:0057), Helen Potts (1:01:05), Robyn Adams (1:01:38), Karen Clarke (1:01:57), Hannah Robinson (1:03:29), James McIlveen (1st 10k. 1:03:48), Catherine Dobbin (PB 1:03:52), Luke Mars (1:06:12), Angela Crone (1:07:09), Elaine McGonigal (PB 1:08:07); Naomi Flemming (PB 1:08:21), Hannah Magee (1:08:40), Steven Craythorne (1:09:15), Kim Cochran (PB 1:09:33), Nikki Keery (1:12:36), Suzanne Gilmore (1:12:43), Rebecca Lund (1:16:18) and Karen Thompson (1:16:20).   Congratulations to everyone on a great race.

ATLAS Running were the organisers of Saturdays Belfast 24 at Victoria Park.  With participants having the choice of running 50k, 100miles, 24 hours or the 24 hour relay.  For the second time this week Jennifer McAteer took to the start line as the sole strider taking on the 50k event finishing the total distance in a time of 9:49:28.  There were 4 striders taking part in the 24 hour event with the longest distance being completed by Neil Mearns who put in a cracking performance completing 129 loops which is a massive 214.47km.  Dave Stevenson completed 111 loops racking up a total of 184.01km, Garry Cavill completing 78 loops giving him a distance of 129.13km and Graeme Magowan finishing 40 laps a total of 66.05kms.

Saturday morning saw 38 Striders run at 8 Parkrun Venues across Northern Ireland.  The most popular venue being Bangor where 13 give their all at the weekly timed run.  Overall PB’s were clocked up from Graeme Farrington (22:40), Riley Hanna (22:54), Eva Coey (25:20), Karl Henderson (26:20), and Lyla Rose McNamara (35:54) with a Course PB for Nicola McNamara (28:10) at Comber.  Shannon Clegg took the title of 1st Female finisher with a PB of 22:43 at Crawfordsburn and Norman Mawhinney took second place over all at Comber in a time of 18:37.  Special mention for Brian O’Neill and Adam Haylett in completing their first Parkruns.

Comber Parkrun was the venue of choice for 5 of our Junior Striders this week Joe Brown being the first of them over the line and 3rd male finisher in a time of 10:14.  Next was Lexie Brown (12:39), Rachel Brown (13:48), Lyla Rose McNamara (14:01) who clocked up Ultra distance by completing her 50th Parkrun and Lydia Blair (14:01).  Sunday morning also saw some of our striders both adults and junior participating in Centra’s RunTogether 5k at Bangor Ward Park.  Well done all.

Scrabo Striders is an all abilities club offering sessions to suit all abilities.  With training nights on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7.15pm in Londonderry Park we have something to suit all.  What are you waiting for?  More information on our Facebook page or at www.scrabostriders.com