Scrabo Striders Switch it up

With a quieter race calendar this weekend, over twenty Scrabo Striders decided to travel to Whitehead to take part in the Pint and Pieathon. This is a light hearted charity running challenge, returning after it’s sabbatical last year, where the participants are encouraged to don fancy dress and complete the approximately 4 mile course while downing pints and eating pies at each mile mark. Whilst eating and drinking slowed the running, a great time was had by all participants and a fantastic £3451.21 raised for the Music and Mind charity, a fantastic cause supporting mental health through music.

With racing taking a brief pause, several Striders used the quieter period to broaden their athletic horizons. Leading the way was Emma Stewart, who took on a new challenge by enrolling in the Couch-to-Tri programme. Her dedication paid off as she completed her first super sprint triathlon in an impressive time of 43:26. A fantastic achievement and an exciting step into multi-sport racing.

Meanwhile, two determined Striders made the trip to Cardiff to test their mettle in the grueling Hyrox fitness race, combining endurance running with a demanding series of strength and conditioning challenges. The event featured an intense sequence of Ski Erg, Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpee Broad Jumps, Rowing, Farmers Carry, Sandbag Lunges, and Wall Balls — all interspersed with 1km runs. Michael Warke delivered an impressive performance, completing the punishing course in 1:08:21, while Norman Mawhinney took part in the Team event, finishing strong in 1:11:52.

At the renowned Norn Iron Ultra Liam Rodger took on the route across bogland, trails, forestry, roads, and beaches – completing 50 miles an incredible feat of endurance. Darren Johnston was up at Ballintoy also enjoying the spectacular scenery of the brutal Norn Iron half route around the Giants Causeway in 2:32:23

Scrabo Striders were out in force at parkruns across Northern Ireland and beyond this weekend, with club members putting in a series of standout performances, personal bests, and first-time runs.

At Bangor parkrun, Andrew Haylett led the way with a blazing time of 18:52, securing 3rd place overall and setting a course personal best (CPB), and Adam Haylett celebrated his 25th parkrun. Also achieving CPBs were Alyson Graham 28:51, Sharon Murdoch 31:35, and Laurie Gaffney, who celebrated a new personal best (PB) with 31:08. Further down the field, Luke Mars, Chris Millar, and several others delivered strong finishes, while Lyla Rose McNamara and Hannah Magee showed great consistency in the later stages.

Over at Comber parkrun Matthew Halus led the Striders home in 20:42, closely chased by Abrar Hossain in 20:52 and Mark Halus in 20:55, earning a CPB. Several other Striders joined the action with times under or around the 30-minute mark, demonstrating the club’s depth across age and ability.

Knockbracken Reservoir saw a strong Strider turnout too, with Paul Blair finishing in 22:51 and a string of first-time (FT) performances from the Dynes, McIver, and Robinson families. Notably, Lynsey McIver finished in 38:35, earning both a first-time and personal best distinction.

At Belfast Victoria parkrun, Sarah Johnston put in a particularly impressive run, clocking 22:29 in her first appearance at the course and setting a PB in the process. Other first-timers included Lisa Boal, Donna Johnston, and Glen Johnston, all finishing within seconds of each other.

At Orangefield parkrun James Cole-Boyle came home with a new PB time of 20:08, while Ashlyn Allen earned a CPB of 30:00, showcasing steady improvement.

Hillsborough Forest, Lurgan Park, and Falls parkrun also featured Striders members, with several notching up debut runs. Georgia and Peter McGonigal both finished their first Lurgan parkrun in 31:30, a testament to their steady pacing and running form.

In Stormont, Rebecca Robinson claimed 2nd female with a CPB of 22:49, showing her running is going from strength to strength. Meanwhile, Michael Burgess took on the Newry Greenway parkrun, crossing the line in a brilliant 19:38, giving him a PB at the inaugural Newry Greenway parkrun.

It was another strong showing for the Scrabo Striders junior athletes at this weekend’s parkruns, with impressive performances recorded at both the Comber and Bangor events on Sunday.

At Comber junior parkrun, a tightly contested race saw Harry McCready lead the Striders home with a superb time of 8:23, earning him an overall 3rd place finish. Just behind him, Joshua Bingham and Heath Farrington crossed the line together in 8:28, both celebrating new personal bests. Joshua’s run also earned him 3rd place among male runners, rounding off a fantastic podium sweep for the club.

There were also standout performances among the female runners. Willow Farrington clocked 8:59, securing 2nd place female, with Keara Simpson hot on her heels in 9:02, claiming 3rd place female. The club's younger runners also impressed, with Elijah Ferguson 9:03 and Michael Bingham 9:34 continuing to show promising form.

Further down the field, several Striders put in determined efforts, with Liam Robinson finishing in 10:54, Lydia Blair in 11:32, and Maddie Dynes just behind in 11:48. Olly Simpson 11:50, Charlie George Stewart 12:22, and Jack Robinson 17:39 all crossed the finish line with grit and perseverance.

Over at the Bangor junior parkrun, three Striders made the trip and delivered solid runs. Nathaniel Frazer led the contingent in 11:36, closely followed by Lyla Rose McNamara in 11:40, and Harriet Frazer, who finished strongly in 13:52.

Scrabo Striders train on Monday and Wednesday at 7.15pm at Londonderry Park, and also offers injury and progression group sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, also at 7.15pm, mainly at Londonderry Park.

There are also social runs which are non-coach led but are for everyone at a social pace and also involve the social side with tea and coffee after 6.30pm Friday evenings and 9am Sunday morning, both at Conway Square Newtownards, and an evening Trails run takes place starting from Mountain Road at 7pm on Sundays.

By Chris Edwards