We're so delighted for two of our members who successfully completed the Brighton Marathon last weekend. A huge well done to Caroline Smyth and Jo Tate, who completed the challenge in good times despite the heat in the south of England. Other travellers were Rachel Tully and Deborah Erskine who took part in The Great Ireland Run, which is part of the world's largest mass participation running series and was set in the iconic surroundings of Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Our Junior runners did well too. Jared Martin came an overall 3^rd in the Castle Ward 10K race in a time of 42:26 and Logan Kinney completed the Titanic Kids 1 mile race in 11:09. Great to see Juniors competing for their club.

The stunning Castle Ward Estate which is owned and managed by The National Trust was the setting for the 6th Annual Castle Ward Challenge Half Marathon, 10K race and new this year 5K race on Saturday 8^th April. The start line is in the shadow of the majestic 18th century Castle Ward mansion and runners enjoy a tour through the estate which is combination of forest trail, open pastures and shoreline paths along the banks of Strangford Lough.

Eighteen Striders participated. In the 10K race first lady home was Lynn Sheldon and the first gent Nigel Martin. Then followed Paul Sheldon, Mervyn Kinney, Ian Frazer, Amanda Martin, Sharon Frazer, Linda Dugan, Scot Knight, Christine Lougheed, Nicola Honeyman and Rhonda Magowan. The 5K race saw Angie Crone home first for the ladies followed by Jenny Smyth, Kim Cochrane and then Denise Knight. Castle Ward also hosted a Half Marathon completed by threes Striders, Shannon Clegg, Graeme McGowan and Victoria Wightman. A big thanks to all for representing the club at these events.

On Sunday 9^th April the Titanic 10K took place. Organised by Athletics Northern Ireland, this road race event has already established itself as Northern Ireland’s premier 10K road race. It now incorporates a family fun day and Junior 1 Mile Run. Eighteen Striders took part with first gent home Jonny Kinney and Maureen Rea for the ladies. Then followed Graeme McGowan, Garry Cavill, Gary Hunsdale, Connor McNamara, Colin Harper, Fiona McAvoy, Neil McVeigh, Sheena Crone, Nicola McNamara, Wendy Thompson, Paige Reilly, Angie Crone, Emma Geddis, Greer Munday, Scot Knight and Karen Farrelly. A great show of #purplepower at an event boasting 850 runners.

Of course no running week is complete without mentioning the Saturday Parkrun. At Ward Park in Bangor the club had 13 entrants where Oliver Seeger came in first for our gents, then Sharon Andrews for our ladies. Followed closely by Barbara McKechnie, Carol Bailie (PB), Lorraine McCrum (PB), Nicola McNamara (PB), Steven Craythorne, Jimmy Andrews, Stacey Andrews (PB), Sharon Hunsdale (PB), Emma Geddis, Jasmine Geddis (first timer) and Carleen Seeger.

Stormont Parkrun saw three Striders romp home, namely Curtis McCaw (PB), Matthew Carville (PB) and Jonathan Keenan. At Parkway in Comber Chris Stevenson, a first timer, represented our club with an impressive time. In total seven new Personal Bests (PBs) were recorded at Saturday 8^th Parkruns.

Worthy of special mention is Neil McCormick, who took part in the Rabbit Run at Hazelbank Park, Newtownabbey in aid of Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.