GRADUATION GLORY FOR SCRABO STRIDERS

Coaches at Scrabo Striders have delivered another successful Progression Programme.  Over the 9 weeks approximately 20 Striders threw themselves into sessions which saw progress and improvement in their overall distance and speed.  Congratulations to all that completed Graduation this week.  The committee would like to thank Chris, Gary and Dawn for their hard work and input.  The Progression Programme will continue in Londonderry Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with a new 9 week programme starting on Tuesday 19th August.

Solo Strider Linda Ingram took on the Country 5k event at Lady of the Lake Festival.  The summer event takes place every July in Irvinestown and provides 11 days of fun including a Sheep Dung Spitting Competition.  Folklore has it that the legendary lady walked amongst the mists and islands of Lough Erne bringing a sign of good times ahead!!

The 9th annual Sea 2 Sky 10k Race/Walk and 5k Race took place on Friday 15th July.  Both distances saw runners taking in road and track before heading into the foothills of the Mournes.  From an elevation of 114m runners were able to take in the outstanding views over Newcastle and beyond before their descent to the finish line on the award winning promenade.  Taking on the 5k course for Scrabo Striders was Jenny Taylor (23:51); Fiona McAvoy (27:17); Martina Finn (27:29); Cathy Dobbin (33:00); Debbie Osbourne (39:13); Tina Hewitt (1:07:16).  Finishing the 10k was Norman Mawhinney (41:57); Jonny Kinney (45:11); Justin “Time” Clegg (46:31); Shannon Clegg (48:43); Peter McGonigal (49:21); Marty McConnell (54:47); Andrea Thompson (56:12); Dean McGhee (57:25); Leanne Campbell (57:53); George Johnston (1:02:45); Davy Gordon (1:04:02); Jonathan Keenan (1:04:13).

Saturday 16th July saw 8 Striders battle 5.7k/3.54mile loops in scorching temperatures across tough terrain at The Abbey Tiles, Greyabbey 6 & 12hour Endurance Challenge.  The event took place within the unique and beautiful Greyabbey Estate with the course catering for both complete novices and seasoned endurance veterans alike.  The Challenge sees competitors complete as many loops as they can within the allotted time i.e 6 or 12 hours.  The 12 hour event saw Gary Cavill complete 13 loops (74.1k/46miles); First time endurance runner Steven Pearson along with Judith Boyd and Sonya Summersgill all complete 12 loops (68.4k/42.5miles); Manny Farrelly complete 10 loops (57k/35.4miles) and Jennifer McAteer complete 8 loops (45.6k/28.3 miles).  Completing the 6 hour challenge was Jonathan Winter finishing 8 loops (45.6k/28.3miles) along with Norman Mawhinney and Gavin McDonnell finishing 6 loops (34.2k/21.3miles).  A special mention for Neil Mearns who not only completed 11 loops (62.7k/39miles) in his allotted time but also finished 2nd overall in the 12 hour event.  This on the back of a fantastic performance at Belfast 24 hour in Victoria Park last month that saw him set a new Strider record of 133miles over the 24 hour period.  Phenomenal!!

Parkrun this weekend saw Strider Michael Burgess gain the title of Northern Ireland Regionnaire after completing all 35 Parkrun Locations in Northern Ireland.  Michael ran his first ever Parkrun back in 2012 and in 2018 decided to take on the Regionnaire challenge, personal commitments along with Lockdown meant it took a little longer than expected to complete.  Unable to pick just one he lists Portrush, Colin Glen and Castlewellan as his favourite courses.  Michael now plans to complete the A-Z of Parkruns and has already managed to tick Z off his list by completing Zuiderpark Parkrun, Netherlands a few weeks ago.  We wish him the best of legs!

In other Parkrun News there were 8 Striders at new venues this week with Fiona McAvoy, Martina Finn and Kim Cochrane travelling to Sixmilewater, Karen “Mrs T” Thompson trying out Rostrevor, Lyla Rose McNamara and Daniel Clarke taking part at Crawfordsburn and Matthew and Mark Halus visiting Dunleath Playing Fields.  At Comber Parkrun Karen Clarke achieved a Personal Best of 31:50 along with Hector Adair who ran a Personal Belfast of 24:36.  Riley Hanna also managed to bag himself a Personal best this time at Stormont in a time of 25:30.

To complete the running week Junior Parkrun was attended by 9 of our superstars.  Comber and Bangor being the venues of choice this week.  Comber Junior Parkrun saw Bobby McGonigal completing his 11th Parkrun gaining him Half Marathon distance.  He marked the occasion with a 2nd place overall.  Liam Robinson was next over the finished line with a PB of 10:05 followed by 2nd female finisher Faye Alexander (11:31); Eva Alexander (12:17); Jake Clarke (13:16); Jack Robinson (15:12) and Noah Barnes (16:45).  Bangor Junior Parkrun was the 2nd run of the weekend for cousins Riley Hanna and Lyla Rose McNamara who finished the course in 7:45 and 12:56 respectively with a course Personal Best for Lyla.

Scrabo Striders is an all abilities running club who boast 4 training nights which are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Londonderry Park.  With something to offer everyone why not come down and take a look!  You never know you might just like it.