Striders light up Scrabo for Heath.

Monday night is usually a training night for Scrabo Striders, but last Monday over one hundred Striders led by coach Sonya donned their best and fanciest outfits and went to Scrabo Tower to light it up in memory of our late Coach and Friend Heath. Heath loved the banter of a Sunday night trail run and on one occasion Sonya had proposed fancy dress and Heath took this literally and arrived in an actual fancy dress itself, so it was only fitting that our striders did the same! Once the tower was lit the light shone right across Strangford Lough and could be seen by everyone making it a beautiful tribute from the club.

Last weekend one of our Striders took a long-haul flight and completed the Run Disney Dopey Challenge in Florida! This once in a lifetime experience involved Jill Long getting up at 2am to run a 5k, 10k, half marathon and Full marathon around the various Disney parks!!During these events there were opportunities to get pictures with all the characters and you could go on some rides if you wanted to!   Jill didn't get a PB at these races, but she did have a magical time and now has both a wonderful set of medals and memories that will last a lifetime!

Last Saturday the National master’s Indoor Championships took place at the World Class TUS International indoor arena in Athlone. There were several events taking place including shot put, long jump and track running over various distances. Representing Scrabo Striders was our regional M65 5km, 5 miles, 10 miles, half marathon and full marathon champion Norman Mawhinney.  Norman competed in the 3k race and completed the 15 laps in a time of 10:55:34. It is no surprise that Norman won this race getting another gold medal for his growing collection and receiving another M65 Irish Championship Title, special congratulations Norman!!

Saturday saw several of our Striders lace up their trainers and take on the Born to Run Series at Minnowburn. The race started and finished at the recently upgraded Mary Peters Racetrack whilst taking in a mixture of track, trails and road. Taking on the 5km race and arriving in first for the Striders was Luke Braniff with a time of 22:48, followed by Willow Farrington and Karen Wilson 28:49. Stephen Braniff followed with a time of 33:22 and Nicky West with a time of 41:32. Taking on the 10km race was Chris Edwards with a time of 56:47. Well done everyone!!

Saturday also meant Park Run and we had 42 runners out participating at 20 venues. The most popular venue was Comber with 17 runners. Curtis McCaw finished the 3 loop course in first place with a time of 17:48 followed by fellow strider Norman Mawhinney who finished third with a time of 18:37.  We also had 5 runners trying out a new Park Run venue for the first time, being Paul Blair at Falls Park Run with a time of 24:26, Abrar Hossain and Kathy Henderson at Antrim Parkrun with times of 23:07 and 38:59 and Matt and Rachel Bell at Wallace Park Run Lisburn. This was Matts first time with a time of 20:05 and Rachel finished 3rd female with a time of 24:01 .  We should also congratulate Captain Andy Haylett for a Course Personal Best at Falls Park Run and coming in second place with an impressive time of 19:51! Over at Orangefield Park Run, Graeme Magowan got a course Personal Best of 22:14. Brilliant running everyone!

Whilst our striders were out on Sunday doing their long runs, our juniors were at Park Run!  We had a total of 10 runners out at two venues. Comber was our most popular location with 6 runners taking part. Finishing first at Comber was Hamish Orr Stewart with a time of 8:18, followed by Joshua Bingham with a time of 9:16. Keara Simpson was the first female in with a time of 10:43, followed by Lydia Blair who finished 3rd  with a time of 12:00. Over at Waterworks Park Run Luke Braniff was 3rd Male in with a time of 7:59 and Willow Farrington achieved a Course Pb and was 3rd Female finisher with a time of 8:02. Well done on some fabulous running!

Scrabo Striders meet every Monday – Thursday for coach led training sessions with a Trails run on Sunday evening.  We also meet for a non coach led social on both Friday evening and Sunday mornings from the town square. Coffee afterwards is mandatory! Details can be found on our website, and all will be made welcome!

By Naomi Fleming