By Karen Warnock

Storm Bert played havoc with running plans at the weekend. Gosford Forest was closed on Saturday which resulted in the Run Forest Run race being rescheduled and the cross country Malcolm Cup was postponed too.

On Saturday seven Scrabo Striders took part in various parkruns with Victoria Parkrun being the most popular.  Matt Bell achieved a PB (18:33).  Gareth Davies (19:18), Michael Burgess (21:00) and Louise Barnes (27:09) all came away with CPBs, alongside Jonathan Keenan (25:30).  Georgia McGonigal (59:59) braved the elements at Waterworks parkrun.  Gavin McDonnell (28:34) ran in Abington.

Scrabo Strider Juniors were out in force on Sunday morning.  At Comber parkrun Hamish Orr-Stewart (8:04) came in first and Keara Simpson (09:24) was the first female in.  Followed by Elijah Ferguson (09:56), Olly Simpson (10:52), Charlie Stewart (13:54), Nathaniel Frazer (14:07) and Harriet Frazer (14:30).  At Victoria parkrun Willow Farrington (07:58) was first in, followed by Heath Farrington (8:55) and Rory Braniff (10:06).  Maddie Dynes (11:59) had a CPB at Bangor parkrun.

Two Striders attended Armagh for the East Antrim Marathon Series to complete a marathon on Sunday morning.  Colin Campbell completed in 4:40 and Maxine Dynes completed in 5:02.  The distance is completed by doing four loops around Armagh, this time to celebrate a special birthday for one of the event organisers.

Every Sunday morning the Scrabo Striders meet in Conway Square to run various distances and various speeds.  This Sunday was no different, with some running around the town and others taking a more coastal path along the floodgates.  All followed up with breakfast at Bow Bells.

Sunday night trails still went ahead with a small group of Striders who enjoyed roughly six miles up to Helen’s Tower and back.  Sonya Summersgill, Headcoach, has insisted “It is the best run of the week” and topped the run off with her famous Fifteen buns.

If you would like to get involved with an all inclusive, supportive club please come along to training on Monday or Wednesday night at 7:15pm at Londonderry Park.  Look out for the friendly bunch of people in purple attire, you would be so welcome!