Luck of the Striders

By Amy Forsythe

The luck of the Striders was in the air on Sunday as 64 members travelled to Belfast for the annual Craic 10k.

There was no shortage of PBs for many striders. The first over the line was Martin Strachan with a PB of 35.15. Also achieving their best 10K was Colin Harper (40.03), Graeme McGowan (41.19), Francis Gilmore (42.06), Catherine Cauley (43.05), Jenny Taylor (44.03), Emma Stewart (50.12), Karen Wilson (54.29), Louise Barnes (55.34), Karen Warnock (01.01.14), Georgia McGonigle (1.04.21), Cheryl Alexander (1.05.08), Stephen Braniff (01.07.14), Elaine McGonigal (1.07.04) and Kim Cochrane (01.08.38).

A busy week for the Purple Pack as 15 runners participated in Queens 3k, 5k Elite and 5k Standard in Belfast.

The two Juniors who represented striders in the 3k were Heath Farrington (14.03) and Rory Braniff (14.10).

Three elite runners took on 5K in whirlwind times. Norman Mawhinney came in at 17.54, a PB for Matt Bell (18.14) and Gareth Davies (19.02) also crossed the line in personal best time.

In the Standard 5k, the first strider over the line was Colin Harper at a PB of (19.16). Also running was Luke Braniff with a PB of 20.18, Jenny Taylor with a PB of 21.10, Heather Baron (21.14), Chris Edwards (25.25), Karen Wilson with a PB of 25.49, Fiona McAvoy (26.17), Martina Finn (26.37), Sarah Luce with a PB of 26.51 and Jennifer McAteer (35.03).

A firm favourite, Parkrun Saturdays saw 42 striders run in 11 different venues.

The most popular was our local Comber, where Curtis McCaw took another 1st Place with 17.39. Matthew Halus came 2nd at 18.35, and Martin Conroy achieved a PB of 26.17.

Lyla Rose McNamara celebrated her 50th in Bangor and came in at 36.22.

Plenty of members tried out new venues, with Jennifer McAteer travelling to Valley in Newtownabbey and Katy Lyttle and Curtis Adams taking on St Peter’s in Sydney, Australia. Congratulations for conquering the 5k in such warm weather!

A big Well done is also in place for the 6 juniors who ran Comber Parkrun on Sunday Morning. Special Mention to Hamish Orr-Stewart (8.24) and Keara Simpson (10.04) who both finished 2nd in the girl/boy categories.

Congratulations also, to Coach and Welfare Officer Louise Barnes who has been awarded Designated Safeguarding Officer Status, after completing a fairly intense training course. Great work Louise

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.