Easter Sunday Fun for Striders!

Whilst some of our Striders were curled up at home enjoying family time and tucking into some well-deserved Easter goodies, others were out participating in local races! 

First up was the Clougher Valley 5km race, which was a race open to all ages, and everyone was very welcome! Family trio Sarah Luce and her two sons Harry and Callum McCready took part in the race, which was sponsored by AG Paving and Building Products. Well done to both Harry and Callum who finished with Personal Bests of 21:36 and 28:43, fantastic running!!

Over at Ballygalget we had the Ballygalget 5km/10 races taking place. Several of our striders took part on the course, which had a few hills but was enjoyed by all.  In the 5km race, Luke Braniff finished the race in a time of 22:02 and special congratulations to Willow Farrington who came in 2nd female with a time of 24:40. Rory Braniff finished with a time of 25:48, followed by Heath Farrington 27:50. Graeme Farrington finished with a time of 28:00 and Stephen Braniff finished with a time of 31:51. Well done to our Striders who also took part in the 10km race.  The hospitality was also thoroughly enjoyed afterwards!

On Easter Monday, two of our Striders travelled to Whitehead to take part in the 100th running of the Whitehead 5-mile Road Race, sponsored by Wrights spar. This road race is the longest standing race in Northern Ireland and has taken place during the Second World War, throughout the troubles and Covid 19. Graeme McGowan finished the race in 33:36 and Jennifer McAteer finished with a time of 1:01:11. Well done to both on taking part in such a memorable race! 

Saturday also meant Park Run and what a weekend it was for our Striders!! Committee member Cheryl Alexander celebrated her 100th Park Run at her favourite Hillsborough Forest Park Run. We had over 30 striders here running with the following runners taking on the course for the first time – Harry McCready with a Personal Best 22:39, Olli Seeger, Judith Boyd, Sonya Summersgill, Gillian Pearson, Calum McCready, Sarah Luce McCready, Keara Simpson, Olly Simpson, Craig Simpson, Georgia McGonigal, Emma McCracken, Vanessa Mannis, Lydia Blair, Lyndsey Blair, Karen Clarke, Sheena Crone, Carol Graham and Aimee Braniff. Celebrating Course Personal Bests was Rory Braniff , Heath Farrington, Graeme Farrington, Jenna Lavery, Liam Rodger, Faye Alexander, Cheryl Alexander and Stephen Braniff. Well done everyone on what was a fabulous morning for all.  Over at Comber we had Gareth Davies get a Personal Best with a time of 19:09 and Rachel Brown also got a PB with a time of 36:44. At Ecos Park Run, Ballymena, we had Zara and Elaine Johnston take on the course for the first time! Darren Johnston also got a Course Personal Best with a time of 25:10. At Crawfordsburn we had Stephen Gargan take on the course for his first time with a time of 27:02.  Sarah McMaster took on Belfast Victoria Parkrun with a time 0f 34:52. At Bangor Park Run we had Cameron McEwan finish with a PB of 22:29. At Citypark Craigavon we had Jonathan Keenan finish with a Course Personal Best 23:34 and Chris Hollies had a first time of 26:15.  At Kilkenny Park Run we had Maxine and Maddie Dynes take on the course for the first time, and Stephen Herron took on Cardiff also. Finally, Francis Gilmore ran Limepark Playing Fields in the time 22:18. Fantastic running everyone!

Sunday also meant our juniors were at Park Run!  Our most popular park run was Comber with 11 runners taking part! Daniel Barnes bagged himself another Personal Best with a time of 09:09, fantastic running Daniel!  Keara Simpson was also 3rd female in with a time of 10:43. Brilliant running everyone and I hope the Easter Bunny was good to you all! 

Scrabo Striders have coach led training sessions every Monday to Thursday and trail runs are available at weekends.  They 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 the website and all are welcome!

By Naomi Fleming