Midweek miles to weekend smiles by Sarah Luce

It was a busy week for Scrabo Striders with the return of some mid-week annual favourites.

Portaferry 10mile and Relay

The Portaferry Gala 10 Mile Road Race, including a 2 x 5-mile relay race for teams of 2 runners, takes place in the picturesque surroundings of Portaferry.  It is one of the feature events in Portaferry Gala Week and offers a challenging but fast course for recreational and elite runners alike. The race starts at the Sports Centre and finishes in the town square.

Striders had fourteen runners in the ten-mile race and Matt Bell was first Strider across the finish line with a super PB of 1.01.56. Not to be outdone, also celebrating PBs, were Andy Haylett in 1.02.23, Max Burton 1.10.38 and Mark Halus 1.16.59. Our next Strider, and first of our females, Jenny Taylor ran the course in 1.17.46 and was the winner of the F55 age group.  The warm night also saw Simon Ferguson, Jordan McIntyre, Martin Conroy, Amanda Martin, Naomi Magowan (CPB), Hector Adair, Christopher Murdock, Phil Adams and Beverley McKee enjoying the rolling coastal roads of the town.

Striders had twelve teams in the relay with Peter McGonigal and Jenna Lavery first Striders across the finish line closely followed by teams Clare McIlveen/Trevor Woodside, Sonya Summersgill/Gayle Melaugh, Karen Collins/ Judith Boyd and Dee Patterson/Michael Williams all finishing under 1.30, several of which were course PBs. Next were Karen Wilson/Chris Edwards, Naomi Magowan/Janice McCartney and Sharon Murdoch/Alyson Graham also all with course PBs. Husband and wife duo Gary and Karen Clarke were next followed by Stephen and Luke Braniff in a father and son duo. Finishing off for Striders were Noel Angus with a course PB and another husband-and-wife duo Darren and Elaine Johnston.

Donaghadee 5K

Twenty-five Striders travelled to Donaghadee on Wednesday evening to take part in the annual 5k race in the town, hosted by Dee Runners, many of whom were fresh from Portaferry the night before. Conditions were favourable overall, although it was reported there was a brisk wind at times on the course which took in the scenic harbour area and marina. Matt Bell, continuing in in great form was once again first Strider home in 18.22 with Trevor Woodside less than a minute behind. Chris Burns was third Strider in on his first time doing this race. Keara Simpson, Chris Edwards, Sonya Summersgill all celebrated course PBs and there were PBs for Lisa Boal and Mairead Curran. Striders Alyson Graham, David Morton, Ellen Ross, Rosemary Harper, John Potts Jennifer McAteer and Lynsey McIver were all first timers to this popular race by the sea.

Giants Trail Race

The scenic trails and towpath of the Lagan Valley Regional Park provide the backdrop to this stunning trail run, organised by Dub Runners. The challenging course includes a combination of forest trails, pastures and the Lagan towpath. Runners enjoy stunning views of the river Lagan, run through the woodlands of Minnowburn and Giants Ring area and return to Queens Playing Fields via Edenderry village and Shaw’s bridge. Six Striders took on the course with Chris Burns finishing first under the hour with a course PB of 53.45. Jonathan Keenan and Graeme Farrington were next followed by Karen Wilson, Gareth Gordon and first timer Stephen Braniff.

Eastside Arts Festival

Sunday morning saw the first run as part of the Eastside Arts Festival which took in some of East Belfast’s most iconic landmarks. There was a 2K category which junior Katie Roulston completed in 11.40, coming in 3rd overall, super job Karie! In the 5K Gareth Robson completed his first race as a Strider in 28.10.

Hillsborough Festival Running

As if Portaferry relay, Donaghadee 5K and a 150th Parkrun wasn’t enough, Clare Mcilveen was the sole strider at the Hillsborough Festival of Running on Sunday. Clare finished the multi terrain course which included local sights such as Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and Hillsborough Lake in 1.08.23, well done Clare!!

Parkrun Report

Striders were out in force as usual on Saturday at fifteen different parkrun locations, Stormont being the most popular this week and seeing course PBs for Colin Campbell and Elijah Ferguson. Andy Haylett led the Strider squad on Saturday at Comber in 19.20. George Johnston continued his Australian parkrun adventures with a CPB at Canning River while Richard Bovill got a course PB closer to home in Ecos, Ballymena. At Bangor’s historic 500th event Andy Scase got a parkrun PB and Louise Bingham achieveda course PB, well done both! There were eight Striders trying new locations for the first time.

Juniors

Sunday morning saw eleven juniors at four different venues, the most popular being Comber where Harry McCready was second closely followed by Heath Farrington in third. Keara Simpson was first female in fourth. Over at Lough Moss, Nathaniel Frazer got a great new PB of 10.19, well done Nathaniel!