Scrabo Striders Keep Pace Despite Quiet Holiday Week

While the summer holidays meant a quieter week for the Scrabo Striders, true to form, many club members still laced up their trainers and hit the roads, trails, and parkrun courses both near and far. From sea-view races to mountain trails, local events to international appearances, the purple vests were proudly on show once again, proving that there’s no such thing as an off-season for a dedicated Scrabo Strider.

Kicking off the week’s action was a solitary but spirited effort from Sarah Luce, who took part in the Coveathlon 5k at Newport Beach. On holiday in California, Sarah’s passion for running didn't take a break as she clocked a strong 27:53 on the scenic seaside course. A perfect example of the club’s “run wherever you are” spirit, her performance set the tone for a week of diverse running exploits.

Sea2Sky Success in Newcastle

On Friday evening, several Striders took to the picturesque roads and trails of Newcastle for the Mother Nature Sea2Sky 5k and 10k. Known for its challenging but rewarding course, the 10k starts on the promenade before climbing into the foothills of Donard Park, offering panoramic views of the coastline before descending back to sea level.

Club captain Matt Bell led the charge, making his debut at the event and delivering a standout performance. Matt was the first Strider home in the 10k, finishing in an impressive time of 41:15, especially commendable given the course's elevation and technical terrain.

In the 5k event, Trevor Woodside was the first Strider to cross the line, clocking 20:30, while Willow Farrington followed closely with 21:33, securing 2nd Female overall, an exceptional result following her recent string of strong performances. Karen Wilson also impressed with a course PB of 31:12, just ahead of Clare McIlveen who finished in 34:14. Mark Halus represented the Striders in the 10k walk category, proudly completing the course and showing that running isn't the only way to enjoy a challenging event.

Mawhinney Claims Silver in National 10-Mile Championships

One of the club’s most decorated athletes, Norman Mawhinney, took part in the Irish Runner 10 Mile at Phoenix Park, Dublin. This event served as the final race in the 2025 Biofreeze Athletics Ireland Race Series and doubled as the National 10-Mile Championship.

True to his reputation, Norman delivered another top-tier performance, finishing in 01:05:55 and earning a Silver Medal in the M65 age category. His consistency and dedication continue to inspire both seasoned Striders and newer members alike.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, three Scrabo Striders took part in the WalkUnitedLA 5k, a charity event hosted by United Way in collaboration with the Los Angeles Rams. The funds raised support wildfire relief efforts and other vital local causes.

Congratulations to Sarah Luce 28:34 (making her second race appearance of the week), Harry McCready 21:14, and Calum McCready 42:00 for proudly representing the club abroad and contributing to a worthy cause.

Saturday saw Colin Campbell toe the line at the Bracknagh Marathon, an event organised by Marathon Club Ireland and tailored for experienced runners. Known for its low-impact, “leave no trace” ethos, the event challenges runners both mentally and physically. Colin completed the full marathon in a strong time of 5:06:09, adding another marathon to his growing list of achievements.

Global Parkrun Adventures and Milestones

It was a particularly active weekend on the parkrun front, with Scrabo Striders appearing at no fewer than 17 parkrun venues a testament to the club’s reach and enthusiasm.

At Comber parkrun, the club’s most attended venue this week, Norman Mawhinney again led the club home with a time of 22:41, fresh off his silver-medal run in Dublin. Gareth Gordon also had reason to celebrate, notching a new PB of 30:01, narrowly missing the sub-30 milestone that is surely within reach given his recent progress. Rachel Brown celebrated a significant milestone, completing her 25th parkrun in 38:05, and earning her coveted purple milestone t-shirt.

At Bangor parkrun, Andy Haylett was first Strider to finish in 20:09, with Willow Farrington again shining by being first female finisher, a day after her top finish at Sea2Sky. Iona Chanas recorded an impressive PB of 26:40, further highlighting her ongoing development.

Over at Belfast Victoria parkrun, Andy Scase took on the flat and fast course for the first time, clocking a PB of 25:59 and no doubt tempted to return for another go soon.

In England, Chris Hollies ran 25:55 at Bournemouth parkrun, while at Rother Valley parkrun, Karen Collins 24:31, Elijah Ferguson 24:42, and Simon Ferguson 24:43, posted near-identical finishing times, showcasing both camaraderie and competitive edge.

Farther afield in Perth, Australia, George Johnston returned to Canning River parkrun, completing the looped course in 23:26. While in Australia, George also entered the Shelley’s 10k, where he clocked a solid 47:58, enjoying both the competition and the stunning riverside scenery.

In California, Sarah Luce (yes, again!) finished Brea Reservoir parkrun in 30:13, conquering the tough out-and-back course that includes two dam climbs. Harry McCready marked his 25th parkrun with a top-10 finish in 25:12, while Calum McCready wasn’t running, he stepped in to assist with Barcode scanning at the event, which was very much appreciated, as parkrun can’t run without the volunteers!

The club’s junior athletes also put in strong showings this weekend at the junior parkrun events, with Comber being the most attended. Heath Farrington was first Strider across the line and 2nd junior overall, while Olly Simpson achieved a new PB with a time of 9:52. Remarkably, Iona Chanas, after her PB at Bangor parkrun on Saturday, followed it up with another PB at Bangor junior parkrun, finishing in 9:25, a brilliant weekend double.

By Chris Edwards