Woodburn Forest was the destination for the rescheduled Rabbit Run where Liam Rodger was the sole Strider taking part in the marathon event. A self-sufficient, self-navigated run with no shortage of hills, Liam finished the race in 5:46:57.

66 Striders ran at 8 different parkrun venues. 38 of these runners, along with volunteers visited Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun for a takeover. Norman Mawhinney took 2nd place at this run and there were course PBs for Matthew Halus (18:39), Matt Bell, who was running his 100th parkrun (18:45), Gareth Davies (19:23), Graeme McGowan on his first run at Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun obtained an overall parkrun PB of 19:50, Willow Farrington (22:42), Michael Williams (24:25), Eva Coey (24:51), Zara Johnston with an overall parkrun PB of 24:57, Olli Seeger (25:32), Chris Edwards (25:45), Dee Patterson (26:27), Chris Hollies (27:13), Martin Conroy, running for the first time at Knockbracken (27:28), Jenna Lavery (30:07) and Cheryl Alexander (30:41). It was a first visit to Knockbracken Reservoir for Colin Harper, Luke Braniff, Chris Burns, George Johnston, Gayle Malaugh, who completed her 50th parkrun, Judith Boyd, Sonya Summersgill, Emma McCracken, Stephen Braniff, Cheryl Macartney and Kris Williams and there were volunteer milestones for Paul Magee (50) and Jennifer McAteer (25). Clare McIlveen celebrated her 100th parkrun a little further afield at Clermont Waterfront Parkrun in Florida with a course PB of 28:16 and Clermont was also a new venue for David McMahon. Waterworks parkrun saw course PBs for Fiona McAvoy (27:10), Georgia McGonigal (32:07) and Angie Crone (34:42), while Richard Murray visited for the first time. Gavin McDonnell obtained a course PB at Bramshall Road (29:15), Amanda Piesse made a first trip to Portrush parkrun and Lexie Brown hit her 10th parkrun milestone at Comber.

For the juniors who hadn't run at Knockbracken Reservoir on Saturday, there was a chance for them to obtain the first of their Eight Strides at Lough Moss junior parkrun on Sunday where 10 of them ran, 5 of these were visiting the parkrun for the first time, Harry McCready, Calum McCready, Olly Simpson, Maddie Dynes and Ceara Simpson, who also finished 3rd female. There was also a 2nd place finish for Luke Braniff and a 3rd place (and 1st female) for Willow Farrington and Lydia Blair got a course PB of 12:10). At Comber junior parkrun Harriet Frazer completed her 21st (marathon) parkrun.

Saturday also saw club men's captain Andy Haylett award the Boyd Rice Solicitors Male Member of the Month award for January which went to Dee Patterson. Since he joined the club in 2023 Dee has been a regular at training, races, parkrun and is always on hand with a word of encouragement or a smile for other runners. In a super month, he made his cross-country debut at the Mathieson Cup and has also run his furthest distance to date as he trains for his first marathon.

Scrabo Striders Running Club has four coach led sessions every week (Monday-Thursday) and a trail run on Sunday evenings. There are also non coach led runs on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings usually followed by an obligatory coffee. To find out more information visit scrabostriders.com

By Jennifer McAteer