FROM ARDS TO NORTH COAST, PARIS AND BEYOND!!!

This week was another busy week for Scrabo Striders and the running session is well and truly in full swing.  Mid-week some striders head south across the border to Dundalk for 10k on a warm Wednesday evening.  Known as a fast course 5 striders headed to Dundalk on a balmy night.  First across the line with a Personal Best was Trevor Woodside with a fantastic time of 38.54.  First female and 4th place was Jenny Taylor with a time of 43.45, next and in 5th place was veteran runner Norman Mawhinney with a time of 47.53 then came Mark Arnold at 52.34 and then Clare McIlveen at 1.00.38.

The weekend came next and there was no let up on events and results.  On Saturday morning a number of Striders headed off early to Larne for the memorable Larne 10 miler.  Another warm day for running and first across the line for Striders with a time of 1.00.06 was Martin Strachan, followed by Johnathan Winter with a PB time of 1.09.34.  First female across the line came soon after was Karen Collins with a time of 1.24.43 quickly followed by Graeme McGowan in a time of 1.25.54 and Naomi Magowan at 1.26.27.  Next came Catherine Karauzum at 1.28.13 and Rachel Boyle 1.38.37.

Heading further up the coast and up North, two striders took on the grueling North Coast 20 mile endurance race.  Darren Johnston and Carli Lindgren completed the course in a terrific time of 4.21.32 and 4.52.30 respectively.

Saturday morning also known as Parkrun Day saw 56 Striders head to 10 different venues for their parkrun fix. Most popular location was Comber with 24 members heading to our local parkrun.  11 runners tried a new location for the first time.   Gareth Davies was 3rd finisher at Comber with a brilliant time of 19.14. Abrar Hossain, Eijah Ferguson and Gareth Gordon all achieve PBs at Comber and Chris Hollies, John Potts and Lynn McGonigal all secured CPBs.

McCready boys were also running extremely well at Hillsborough Forest Parkrun with Callum achieving a PB with a time of 25.59 and Harry achieving a CPB with a time of 23.14.

8 members took on a trip to MUSA Cookstown parkrun for the first time with a 3 lap course of Loughry college.  Fiona McAvoy was first to finish with a time of 27.30 then came Kathyryn Chesney at 28.04, quickly followed by Nicola Forsythe and Martina Finn with a time of 30.08 andby Kim Cochrane and Sara McMaster with 41.56 and 41.57.

Chris Edwards and Karen Wilson ventured to Fisherman’s walk in Portglenone. A very scenic parkrun along the river seen Chris and Karen finish with seconds between them in 28.24 and 28.35 no doubt a little friendly competition going on!!!

Sunday morning saw two striders head to Capital of Love for Paris Marathon. With sights of the Eiffel Tower and views of the Sienne Head Coach Chris Burns completed the course in a fantastic time of 4.06.47 and Maxine Dynes with a fantastic PB and an amazing time of 3.50.27.

The travels weren’t over yet as Male Captain Matt Bell headed to Brussels for the brand new European Running Championships Marathon Matt achieved a PB with a record time of 2.59.14.

With schools breaking up this week for Easter holidays sees no let up as our Juniors take on Junior Parkrun.  14 junior members took part in 3 different venues this week.   We had 9 members who took part in Comber.   Willow Farrington was first strider finished and 3rd overall with a brilliant time of 7.56.  Next was Harry McCready with another CPB and 3rd male finisher with a time of 08.02 very quickly followed by Keara Simpson who was 2nd female with a time of 08.51.  Not to be outdone by his sister Olly Simpson also achieved a CPB with a time of 10.06.

4 Juniors headed to Moira Junior Parkrun for the first time and 1st strider finished and 2nd overall was Hamish Orr-Stewart at 07.57.  Next was Iona Chanas at 09.54, then Nathaniel Fraser at 12.25 and Harriet Fraser at 15.20.

Bangor Junior Parkrun saw junior strider Lyla Rose McNamara finish in a brilliant time of 12.54.

Well done everyone brilliant results all round!

By Nicola Forsythe