Striders Hit the Roads, Hills and Trails Across the Province

As the summer racing season reaches its peak, Scrabo Striders were once again out in force across Northern Ireland, testing themselves on hills, trails, roads and even overseas parkruns. From the lung-busting climbs of Scrabo to the flat coastal miles of Antrim, it was a week that showcased the club’s versatility, endurance and enthusiasm for competition.

The week began with the Scrabo Hill Race, a punishing 7.2km contest hosted by the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association and Ballydrain Harriers. The two-lap, figure-of-eight course featured steep ascents through forest trails, twisting descents on narrow paths and an energy-sapping push to the summit that tested even the most experienced mountain runners. Against that backdrop, Daniel Warke lead the Striders home in 39:56. He was followed by Michael Burgess in 47:44, both strong times on such a brutal course.

The focus then shifted to the Portrush 5-Mile Road Race, where the coastal setting provided a sharp contrast. Russ Armour was the club’s sole representative. Running from the West Strand towards Portstewart before looping back, Armour clocked an impressive 41:53 against a strong field.

Friday night saw the Striders head to the Strangford Festival 5k and 10k races, steeped in community spirit and run over the mixed terrain of the historic Castle Ward estate. The event doubled as the curtain-raiser to the local festival, with runners cheered on by residents and visitors alike. In the 5k, Harry McCready was the standout Strider, finishing in 21:15 and taking second in his age category. Janice McCartney, crossed the line in 29:30 to win first in her age category. Strong sub-30-minute runs from Clare McIlveen and Maddy Dynes added to a fine night for the club.

The 10k proved equally fruitful. Veteran racer Norman Mawhinney once again showed his class, winning the M65 category in 41:16. Not far behind, Trevor Woodside clocked 42:47, while Karen Collins finished in 50:09 taking second in her age, and Maxine Dines in 51:10. Further sub-hour runs from Jonathan Keenan, Alyson Graham and Sarah Luce capped a strong Striders turnout.

Saturday’s racing included one of the most distinctive fixtures in the local calendar: the Rathlin Run. Getting to the start line is a challenge in itself, requiring runners to book a ferry crossing before securing their race entry. Once on the island, athletes face a course of rolling hills, narrow lanes and sweeping sea views, a blend of beauty and brutality that has earned the event its reputation. Amanda Martin represented the Striders in the 5k, finishing with a spirited 25:26. In the 10-mile race, first home was Mark Halus in 1:28:10, with Jenny Taylor (1:29:05) and Matthew Halus (1:29:26) close behind in a tight Striders battle. Judith Boyd rounded off the team in 1:40:50, each runner relishing both the challenge and the unique scenery.

Also on Saturday morning, Belfast’s Victoria Park Relays provided a different sort of test. The short one mile laps demand speed and precision, offering a rare chance for club athletes to race side by side in a team format. The mixed relay team got the action underway, with club captain Gillian Pearson completing the opening lap in 7:59. She was followed by Karen Collins (7:12), Simon Ferguson (6:30) and Graeme McGowan (6:37). The women’s squad, led by Rachel Boyle’s two laps in 17:09, saw further committed runs from Jessica Hall (19:05), Gail Malaugh (16:07) and Caroline Dwyer (16:29). In the senior men’s race, Gareth Davis ran 12:37 over two laps, with Max Burton (12:05), Daniel Warke (12:47) and captain Matt Bell (12:05) combining to produce an excellent overall showing. The event, with its festival atmosphere and mass of club colours, was a reminder of the camaraderie that makes local running thrive.

Sunday brought the weekend’s headline act: the Antrim Coast Half Marathon. Now firmly established as one of the fastest and most scenic half marathons in Ireland, the race drew both international elites and hundreds of club runners, all chasing personal bests along the shoreline. Thankfully, this year’s weather proved more favourable than last year’s blustery edition. Leading the Striders charge was Gary Lyttle in 1:33:49, setting the tone for a string of solid finishes. Closely following were Abrar Hossain (1:38:17), Rebecca Robinson (1:46:26), Chris Burns (1:49:04) and Craig Simpson (1:49:11), who all came home within minutes of each other. Duncan McAllister followed in 1:53:41, while pacer Graeme McGowan judged his effort perfectly to record 1:59:47. Further down the field, Naomi Magowan ran 2:04:45 and John Bingham completed the course in 3:05:50.

Parkrun once again drew huge numbers, with 71 Striders taking part across Northern Ireland and further afield, with Comber parkrun proving the most popular. There, the Farrington siblings stole the headlines: Willow dipped under 21 minutes for the first time with a sparkling PB of 20:58, while Heath was hot on her heels with 22:38, also a PB. Michael Brown (24:47) and Gareth Gordon (29:55) added further cause for celebration with their PBs, Gordon breaking the 30-minute barrier for the first time, a huge milestone for many runners.

At Stormont, Caroline Dwyer marked her 25th parkrun, while Louise Bingham celebrated the same achievement at Portrush. Elsewhere, Andy Haylett flew around the Montalto Estate course in 19:54 to finish first overall, a remarkable run on a tough route. Meanwhile, Karen and Emmanuel Farrelly flew the Striders flag abroad, tackling the inaugural Brooklyn Bridge parkrun in New York and finishing just over the 31-minute mark.

Not to be outdone, the junior Striders turned in a string of impressive performances across four junior parkruns. At Comber, Heath Farrington placed second overall in 8:33, while Lydia Blair ran 10:53 for a new PB and third female. Michael Kearns also notched a PB with 14:33. At Portrush, Joshua (8:21) and Michael Bingham (10:37) both ran course bests. Over in Jordanstown, Rory Braniff clocked 8:35 for second place and another PB, while at Bangor juniors, Lyla McNamara continued her form with yet another personal best of 10:53.

By Chris Edwards