JUNIORS GIVING IT THEIR ALL

What a weekend of running from Scrabo Strider Juniors.  Saturday saw the rescheduled Derry Cross Country take place at Thornhill College.  The only P5/P6 strider to brave the muddy course was Adam Haylett who took the 1k loop in his stride and finished in 29th position out of a total of 52 runners.  Adam is no stranger to the Cross Country scene having already completed races at Comber and Queens and has signed up for the upcoming Mathieson Cup and Shield taking place at Mallusk Playing Fields on Sunday 15th January 2023.

Saturday also saw the continuation of the Born 2 Run, Run Forest Run series at Loughall with Junior Strider Willow Farrington taking on the 5k race.   Willow has completed the first 3 races in the series of 6 and is set to complete the final 3.  Last year Willow took overall 1st place in the 11-14 age category and we would like to wish her the best of Legs for the rest of her races.

Junior Parkrun, like Parkrun, is a weekly free timed event that happens at various locations across the Provence,   however Junior Parkrun takes place on a Sunday morning.  This week saw 12 of our Juniors take on Comber.  First Strider to cross the finish line, as 3rd male finisher, was Ethan Lappin followed by Adam Haylett, Joe Brown and first timer Joshua Bingham who bagged himself a Personal Best.  Hot on Joshua’s heels were Isabella Haylett, finishing 2nd female and Keara Simpson, finishing 3rd female.  Next over the finish line was Lexie Brown, Olly Simpson, Lydia Blair, Rachel Brown and first time parkrunners Harriet and Nathaniel Frazer.  What an amazing strider turnout!

For those Junior Striders not wanting quite an early start on Sunday morning was the Ballygalget, Run the Turkey Off run hosted by Ballygalget Athletic Club.  What an impact our juniors had with Willow Farrington and Luke Braniff taking 2nd and 3rd place  in the 5k event.  Not to be outdone by his older brother Rory Braniff also completed the 5k run

Monday night saw the monthly Striders 3k Time Trial, a great session to take stock of where you are or to record the improvements you have made.  A total of 13 junior striders took part with first home being Riley Hanna followed by Cadey Moore, Eddie Kirwin, Bobby McGonigal, Eva Coey, Isabella Haylett, Hannah McCrory, Faye Alexander, William Murphy, Harry Martin, Eva Alexander, Emma Creighton and Aimee braniff.  Another great turnout from our Juniors.

Do you have children that have an interest in running?  Why not bring them along.  Scrabo Strider Juniors meet once a week with Foundations (12+ year olds) meeting on a Monday night and FUNdamentals (8-11 year olds) meeting on a Wednesday night.  Both sessions start at 7.15pm at Londonderry Park.