Milestones and Gold for Scrabo Striders
By KAREN WARNOCK
The mid-week Donaghadee 5K attracted 331 participants, organised to perfection by Dee
Runners. The race itself was a sell out almost instantaneously, with a high percentage of
Scrabo Strider entries alongside many supporters and volunteers.
First male from the club across the line was the very speedy Andy Haylett (19:25), followed
closely by Michael Warke (19:39), Trevor Woodside (19:40), Graeme McGowan (20:38) and
Luke Braniff (21:35). Next in were Michale Burgess (22:29), Craig Simpson (22:31), Willow
Farrington (23:41), Curtis Adamas (23:59) and Colin Verth (24:15). The sub 30 minutes
continued with Darren Johnston (25:05), Louise Barnes (25:09), Maxine Dynes (25:51), Karen
Wilson (26:40), Karen Farrelly (27:33), Clare McIlveen (27:33), Christopher Murdock (27:44),
Naomi McGowan (28:41), Daniel Barnes (28:51), George McGonigal (28:58), Keara Simpson
(29:16),Beverley McKee (29:21), Kathryn Chesney (29:21), Catherine Lavery (29:37), Michele
Ennis (29:45) and Jasmine Holden (29:50).
Purple power continued in force with Cheryl Hunter (30:04), Natasha Graham (30:43),
Nicola Forsythe (32:04), Hugh Lyons (32:36), Stephen Braniff (33:55), Kim Cochrane (35:14),
Chris Edwards (35:25), Frances Wills (37:01), Janet Mowat (37:05), Aimee Braniff (37:10).
Determination and strength continued with Gillian Kerr (37:11), Donna Dugan (37:34), Lynn
McGonical (37:39), Cheryl Macartney (38:59), Hannah Robinson (43:41), Nicola Graham
(43:41) and Gillian Baille (45:06).
On Friday evening, many people gathered for the Giant’s Trail Race which was just over 6
miles, organised by Dub Runners who provided a generous spread afterwards. Eight Scrabo
Striders came together to tackle this tough course. First in for the club was Graeme
McGowan (49:02), Chris Burns (55:57), Graeme Farrington (56:08) and Lorna McMurray
(59:44). Coming in strong were Karen Wilson (1:03), Louise Barnes (1:03), Sara Luce (1:05)
and Rachel Boyle (1:05).
One solo Strider, Mark Arnold (1:35:30) travelled to Castleblayney to complete a loop of
Lough Muckno for the Blarney Rockets 10 Mile Race on Saturday 27 th July. It was on this day
that the British Track Championship 1500m in Derby were held, with Norman Mawhinney
(5:21:32) taking home Gold position – an incredible result.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Running Festival took place in the glorious sunshine on
Sunday 29 th July with various distances of 5k, 10k and half marathon distance. Maddie
Dynes, one of the club’s junior members, completed the 5K in 32:49. On with the 10K
distance Trevor Woodside took on a pacing roll, completing in 44:50. Not far behind
brought home Karen Collins (53:44), Clare McIlveen (1:02) and Janice McCartney (1:06). The
half marathon distance was completed by Maxine Dynes (2:05:11) and Jasmine Holden
(2:29:54).
The EAMS Pride 10k, half marathon and marathon took place on Sunday 29 th July, with a few
club members trading the purple flag for a rainbow flag. Completing the 10K was Jennifer

McAteer, with the half marathon distance completed by Dee Patterson and Michele Ennis.
Colin Campbell completed the Marathon distance, all receiving impressive medals.
Parkrun at Comber was time to celebrate for Michael Williams (26:46) as he ran his 100 th
Parkrun, alongside 35 fellow club members. One of the newest members Simon Ferguson
(21:09) celebrated too with a PB, alongside Andrew Caddoo who was new to Comber and
achieved a PB. Harry McCready (32:13) also attended Comber for the first time. Bangor
was also a popular parkrun with 11 members attending with Cameron McEwan (19:31)
achieving a PB and Sara McMaster (32:02) attending for the first time.
Michal Burgess and Cheryl McCartney both travelled to the West Coast of Ireland to Inis
Meain Parkrun , one of the Aran Islands as part of their ambitious Parkrun Tourist bucket
list, 22:45 and 39:44 respectively. Hamish Orr-Stewart (27:23) completed parkrun in
Bournemouth achieving a PB. Faye Alexander (28:47), Eva Alexander (38:51) and Cheryl
Alexander (38:57) had a sandy parkrun in Portrush.
Beautiful surroundings at Montalto attracted Joshua Bingham for his debut (28:03) on this
two lap course. Closer to home Richard Bovill (25:08) smashed a CPB at Orangefiled and
Naomi McGowan (27:26) bagged a PB at Stormont.
Many juniors take part in Parkrun and still participate the next day in Junior Parkrun.
Comber was the most popular venue, with Willow Farrington (08:13) coming in second.
Luke Braniff (08:16) came third in Bangor and Penelope Davies (11:01) achieved a CPB.
Hamish Orr-Stewart was at Moors Valley, came third and achieved a CPB.
On another note, it is great to hear local fashion shop Street Life encouraging their staff to
get involved in running. Alyson Graham was set a challenge of achieving a sub-30 5k, she
made this look easy and won the challenge. Street Life presented Alyson with a fantastic
new pair of Merrell running trail shoes and she has become a Scrabo Strider this year. Well
done team Street Life.
Scrabo Striders is an all-inclusive club, boasting a full and comprehensive training schedule
suitable for all abilities. Please reach out via social media to find out more.