Races all round at Scrabo Striders

By Amy Forsythe

A busy week in Newtownards for Scrabo Striders, with races up and down the country varying from 3.5 miles to 26.2, the purple pack was out in full force.

On Friday evening, 9 Striders made the trip down to the lough to partake in Strangford 5&10k.

Keara Simpson was the first strider in for the 5k, completing it in 28.12, closely followed by mother and daughter duo Maxine (29.55) and Maddie Dynes (29.56).

Coach Ismail was the first strider over the line for the 10k race in an astonishing 43.07. Following behind was Craig Simpson in 49.13, as well as Elaine McGonigal (1.11.43), Georgia McGonigal, Cheryl Alexander and Emma McCracken all coming in at 1.11.44.

On the same night, Two Striders braved the Portrush Wind and rain to take part in their annual 5 Mile race around the coastal town. Russ Armour came in at 42.52 and Michael Warke was close behind in 47 minutes.

Saturday morning saw 5 brave Striders take on the Rathlin 10 mile challenge, a scenic and challenging route round the local coastal town.

Matthew Halus was the first strider home in an impressive time of 1.24.07, shortly followed by Jenny Taylor (1.30.05), Amanda Martin (1.32.30), Alison Busby (1.35.19) and Mark Halus (1.40.27).

Also on Saturday, Comber was full of celebrations for two striders at Parkrun. Peter Gray completed his 100th in 25.22and Maxine Dynes celebrated her 50th with a time of 26.52.

There was also Plenty of Parkrun Tourism this weekend, as 15 runners tried a new venue for the first time.

Antrim Parkrun saw 3 Striders take it on for the first time: Greame McGowan (21.50), Andy Boal (27.39) and Louise Barnes (29.42).

Allie Farley and Liam Rodger took on The Fisherman’s Walk (45.33 & 45.34), Michael Warke travelled to Portrush (34.23), Richard Bovill to Limavady (26.13), Glenn Campbell to Holyrood in Edinburgh (31.04), Paul Blair to Dundalk (23.41), Peter Doggart to Knockbracken (24.04), Gavin McDonnell to Abingdon (28.05), Hannah Magee and Luke Mars to Cookstown (39.13 & 39.14) and lastly, Cheryl Mulholland and Janet Mowat to Stormont (30.26 & 34.44).

The events continued into Sunday, as Coach Norman Mawhinney travelled to Longford to participate in their 26.2 Mile Marathon route. He completed the course in an incredible 3.09.50.

18 Striders travelled to the Antrim Coast on the same day, for their Annual Half Marathon.

Coaches Greame McGowan and Johnathan Winter took on pacing duties, and came in at 1.59.51 and 2.12.33 respectively.

Martin Strachan was the first strider to make it over the line in an amazing time of 1.20.44, Michael Warke came closely behind with 1.26.27 and James Cole-Boyle came in with a personal best time of 1.32.30.

Also running was Gary Lyttle with a Personal best of 1.32.38, Trevor Woodside (1.33.49), Chris Burns (1.44.11), Rebeca Robinson (1.53.36), Peter McGonigal (1.59.32), Louise Meehan (1.54.04) and Penny Hamilton (1.55.48).

Also achieving Personal Bests in Antrim was Jenna Lavery with 1.55.48 and Martin Conroy with 2.05.06.

Sprinting in close behind was Clare McIlveen (2.13.46), Jasmine Holden (2.27.07), Naomi Fleming (2.42.40) and Lyndsey Blair (2.42.41).

Junior Parkrun is also a regular fix on a Sunday for our Fundamentals group. Eight juniors travelled to Comber, two to Belfast Victoria, one in Jordanstown and one in Bangor.

Our Fundamentals Group have been out representing the Striders during the week, with Lyla McNamara completing a series of Track Events in Magherafelt. She took part in race walking and placed 1st in the Under 10 girls. Well done Lyla!

Scrabo Striders is a running club in Newtownards, Co Down and welcomes runners of all abilities. We meet on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 7:15pm

at Londonderry Park Pavillion, Portaferry Road.