No such thing as a week off for the Striders!

The last weekend of March was a quieter one for the Scrabo Striders than recent weeks but there were still plenty of runners out doing their thing! Saturday, AKA Parkrun Day, saw purple at various local locations in NI and Gavin McDonell made the pilgrimage to Bushy Park for the first time in England.

Our largest contingent was out in strength in Comber and saw Mark Halus once again first Strider over the finish line taking his course PB down to 21.01! Not to be outdone, Maxine Dynes and Elijah Ferguson were the first of our Saturday PB celebrations coming in on 24.22 and 24.24 respectively. Chris Hollies followed in Mark’s footsteps with a course PB and David Morton and Ellen Ross ran super PBs in 28.47 and 32.52.

At Waterworks, Catherine Lavery didn’t let the hills stop her scoring a course PB in 28.17 while Katie Irvine tried this one for the first time getting round in 34.03.

Dynamic duo Chris Edwards and Karen Wilson were on the ground in Hillsborough Forest. Chris finished the two-lap route for the fist time in 28.55 and Karen got a course PB in 29.58.

On Sunday morning, our amazing juniors were out and ready to go despite losing an hour’s sleep. In Comber, Keara Simpson flew across the line in second place on 08.50 with Toby Heywood just behind her in third with 08.57. Elijah Ferguson was third male across the line in 10.09 followed by Nathaniel Frazer in 11.27 and Lyla McNamara in 12.11. Olly Simpson was next in 12.47 followed by clubmates Maddie Dynes in 14.11 and Harriet Frazer in 16.02

At Belfast Victoria, Willow Farrington was first female finisher in 08.10 with little brother Heath in 10th place overall in 08.57. Rory Braniff was just on Heath’s tail on 09.27.

Iona Chanas was trying a new location at Cherry Orchard in Dublin and was second overall in 09.57, super running Iona!

As the Juniors were finishing their Junior Park runs, four Striders were pinning on their race numbers for their events. Martin Strachan was away to Dundalk to run half marathon distance in the Life Style Sports Dundalk Half Marathon and 10km event. Nestled against the scenic Cooley Mountains, Dundalk provides the perfect backdrop for a half marathon that blends challenge with breathtaking views. Martin had an incredible race, coming in across the line in 1.18.11 and placed 8th overall, what a result!!

In County Tyrone, the McCready brothers and Mum Sarah took part in the annual Clogher Valley 5K event in the village of Augher. This was the 7th year of this run and is a great event with a lovely one lap clockwise course on country roads starting and finishing in the centre of the village. Harry crossed the finish line in 26.07 and Calum came in with a course PB of 28.03. Sarah came in just behind on 28.34, also a course PB.

By Sarah Luce