Striders head down the peninsula!

Saturday took our Striders down the peninsula, for the Ballyhalbert Harriers Leap Year Loop 5k Race, organised by Ballyhalbert Harriers. Norman Mawhinney was the first strider in with a time of 20:39 and was 6th Male to finish.  Following Norman was Luke Braniff 22:35, Willow Farrington 22:53 and Harry with a time of 24 minutes. Following Harry was Daniel Barnes with a new Personal Best of 24:56 , followed by Maxine Dynes with 26:22 and Louise Barnes with 26:48. Heath Farrington followed with a time of 27:20 , Graeme Farrington 27:30.Craig Simon and Keara Simpson both finished with a time of 28:15. Maddie Dynes finished with a time 31:30 followed by Olli Simpson 31:46, Callum McCready 31:58 and Sarah Luce 31:59. Both Aimee and Stephen Braniff completed the race in a time of 36:31, brilliant running everyone!!!

Saturday also meant Park Run!! The club had 52 runners out at 12 venues. The most popular Park Run was Comber with 19 club members taking part! Special congratulations to Matthew Halus who came in first for our striders, with a Personal Best at 18:21! Gareth Davies was in 3rd place with a time of 19:39. Catherine Cauley finished 3rd female with a time of 24:26. We should also note that Rachel Brown got a Personal Best with a time of 37:59, cracking running!

We also had 7 runners trying out new areas, Matt Bell (22:27), Rachel Bell (27:52) and Paul Blair (23:58) all took on Antrim Park Run, and over at Kilkenny Parkrun we had Michael Burgess (22:00) and Cheryl Macartney (40:16) take on the route for a first time!   Other first times to new venues were Georgia McGonigal at Carrickfergus (31:24) and Peter Doggart at Orangefield (27:18) . We also had a few Course Personal Bests to mention being Jonathan Keenan at Crawfordsburn (25:21) , Karen Wilson at Knockbracken (27:39) and then at Stormont Darren Johnston (24:38), Zara Johnston (26:41) Ashlyn Allen (29:46) and Elaine Johnstone (32:11) Brilliant running everyone!

On Sunday whilst our striders were out training for the upcoming Belfast Marathon, our juniors were at Park Run!  We had a total of 9 runners out at three venues. Belfast Victoria Parkrun was our most popular location with 6 runners taking part. Luke Braniff achieved a Course Personal Best with a time of 7:57 , followed by Willow Farrington who not only was 1st Female, but also got a Course Personal Best with a time of 7:58. Heath Farrington also got a Personal Best with a  time of 9:11, followed by Rory Braniff (9:28), and Lyla McNamara (13:08). Over at Comber Junior Parkrun Hamish Orr Stewart finished 1st Place with a time of 8:22, followed by Maddie Dynes 11:49, and Maddie was also 3rd Female! Lydia Blair finished with a time of 12:39. Great running everyone!

On Sunday, the Red Dress Fun Run took place for Chest, Heart and Stroke and our Striders helped turn Stormont red through fancy dress! The purpose of the event is to remember, and support loved ones and helps Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke fight against illnesses in Northern Ireland. Well done to Frances Amberson, Sharon Gamble, Lynn McGonigal, Dawn Cudworth and Karen Thompson and of course Miss Lola for taking part!

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