Dublin was the place to be last Sunday for the 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon, which is in its 42nd year.  A total of 15 Striders made the trip to join approximately 22,500 participants competing for the Noel Carroll Memorial Trophy and 12,000 euro prize money.  This included the current Irish Marathon record holder Stephen Scullion and for the first time included non-binary entrants, with their own prize fund.  Dublin Marathon is Ireland’s largest marathon and is a single lap course which begins in Fitzwilliam Square Upper and finishes in Merrion Square North close to the City Centre.  The route takes in Phoenix Park and Bushy Park, travels along Grand Canal, passes Dublin Zoo and University College Dublin as well as crossing the River Liffey on three separate occasions.  This year saw elite runner Kemal Husan break the course record setting a new time of 2:06.52, with Stephen Scullion taking an impressive 3rd place.

First home in purple and adding another title to his belt, was Dublin Marathon M65 Irish Champion Norman Mawhinney (2:54.59) followed by the first lady Strider Heather Baron (3:27.31).  Not being put off by the rain, Abrar Hossain (3:37.16) was next  and not far behind was Peter Mc Gonigal (3:44.29) and Men’s Vice Captain Michael Burgess running himself a PB (3:49.08).  Following closely behind was Daniel Clarke (3:54.37), Michael Warke, with a PB in his first marathon in 5 years (3:57.22), Graeme McGowan (3:57.59) and Amanda Martin also with a PB (4:04.42).  Next to cross the finish line was Chris Burns completing his first marathon (4:15.31), Heath Graham (4:32.14), Jill Long (4:33.05), Paul Blair (4:37.35), Jennifer McAteer putting her Dublin marathon demons to bed with a fabulous run (6:30.14) and Maxine Dynes (6:45.59).

Meanwhile closer to home on Sunday morning our future stars donned their favourite fancy dress for Halloween Junior Parkrun.  The club had 19 juniors at 2 venues with Comber being the most popular and saw Luke Braniff (8.05) pip Harry McCready (8.06) at the post for 2nd place overall.  Harry successfully ran himself a PB and a 3rd place.  Zara Johnston (10.28) took 3rd female and PBs were ran by Jack Robinson (11.48) and Harriet Frazer (13.45).  Over at Bangor Junior Parkrun Willow Farrington (9.49) ran her second parkrun of the weekend after finishing 1st female at Bangor Ward Park on Saturday morning.

A firm favourite in the weekend running calendar is Parkrun and Saturday was no exception with 61 Striders running at Parkruns near and far.  Fighting for the title of furthest Parkrunner was Michael Burgess (28.02) taking on Tamore Parkrun, Waterford for the first time however, George Johnston (23.08) retains that title running at Claisebrook Cove in East Perth, Australia.

At Stormont PBs were racked up for Steven Hanna (22.15), Penny Hamilton (24.27) and first timer Marilyn Kennedy (28.59) with a course PB for Nicola Forsythe (31.15) at Orangefield who was joined by first timer Richard Murray (29.34).   Over at Belfast Victoria first timers included Colin Harper (19.53), Curtis Adams (24.52) and Keara Simpson (30.16), along with Craig Simpson (22.04) and Olly Simpson (34.24) who also achieved Parkrun PBs.  A 25th Parkrun achievement for Josh Bell (20.52) was marked with a PB alongside Matt Bell (19.00) who also ran a PB and Rachel Bell (22.42) achieving a course PB.

Again, Comber was the most popular venue with 13 club members and saw Gareth Davies (20.32), Karen Warnock (28.05) and Karen Wilson (28.27) all ringing the PB Bell!  A total of 21 Striders tried out a new venue and this included Abrar Hossain (37.55), Carol Graham (37.55), Elaine McGonigal (37.56), Heath Graham (38.00) and Norman Mawhinney (38.01) who all joined Scrabo Striders Vice Chair Person Peter McGonigal (37.50) on his 250th Parkrun which he ran at Oldbridge. New venues were also experiences by Calum McCready (30.24) and Sarah Luce (30.25) at Queens Parkrun, Allie Farley (39.22), Liam Rodger (39.22) and the hounds at MUSA, Cookstown and Graeme McGowan (22.30) and Chris Burns (24.01) at Donabate.

Scrabo Striders is an all abilities club that offers sessions 4 nights a week from a dedicated team of nearly 20 coaches and includes a monthly paced run, a 3k time trial,  progressive and rehabilitation sessions along with running and athletic sessions for young athletes from 8 years of age.  The club will celebrate the achievements of its members at their upcoming awards evenings with a pizza party for Junior Members and an annual dinner for Senior Members.  If you would like to know more please check out our Facebook Page “Scrabo Striders Running Club” or our website “scrabostriders.com”.