Purple power at the Belfast Half

By Chris Edwards

Scrabo Striders’ Graeme Black kicked off the weekend in style with a superb run at the notoriously gruelling Barkley Fall Classic Ultra in Tennessee on Saturday 20th September.

Graeme completed the 26.2 mile course in an impressive 10:31:44, on what proved to be an exceptionally challenging edition of the race. Competitors faced repeated ascents over punishing terrain, with a staggering total elevation change of around 10,000 metres. Such was the difficulty of the course that fewer than half the field made it to the finish line, with just 198 of the 436 starters managing to conquer the brutal route. Graeme Black’s achievement places him among a select group of runners able to withstand one of the toughest tests in the ultrarunning calendar.

The streets of Belfast buzzed with energy on Sunday as thousands laced up for the Belfast City Half Marathon. Among them, more than 50 Scrabo Striders delivered a superb showing, clocking personal bests, course bests, and strong debut performances right across the field. Proof that dedication to training pays off, no fewer than sixteen Striders claimed a new personal or course best on the day.

Leading the charge for the club was Andy Haylett, who stormed home in a sensational 1:22:07, setting a new personal best (PB). Hot on his heels was Max Burton, also in great form with a 1:23:31 PB. Daniel Warke rounded out the sub-90-minute finishers with a fine 1:28:36, while Gareth Davies 1:35:15, Jonathan Winter 1:36:27 (CPB), and James Cole-Boyle 1:37:39 and Craig Simpson 1:39:09 (CPB) all turned in strong efforts.

There was more success just behind, with Sarah Johnston achieving a brilliant PB of 1:40:23, followed by Peter McGonigal at 1:41:49. The 1 hour 43 minute mark proved busy for Striders, with George Johnston coming in at 1:43:36, Colette McKelvey producing a fantastic 1:43:42 (PB), while Chris Burns (CPB) and Michael Johnston both achieved times of 1:43:43. Rebecca Robinson also enjoyed success with 1:44:29 (CPB), just ahead of Simon Ferguson 1:44:58 and Karen Collins, who celebrated a superb PB in 1:45:00.

Further down the course, Jenny Taylor finished in 1:46:52, before a cluster of Striders arrived around the 1:53 mark: Colin Harper 1:53:17, Penny Hamilton 1:53:37 (PB), Steven Hanna 1:53:40, and Graeme McGowan 1:53:43. Next up were Darren Johnston 1:57:30 and Moses Matovu 1:57:32, closely followed by Curtis McCosh, adding to the PB tally with a time of 1:57:39. Naomi Magowan also ran superbly to secure a PB of 1:57:44, with Garry Barritt right behind in 1:57:58 PB. Fantastic running all round to come home under the two-hour mark.

The wave of PBs continued with Catherine Lavery coming home in 2:01:07 (PB), Karren Farrelly 2:02:40 (PB) and Cathie Lowry 2:19:05 (PB), as well as Karen Clarke 2:20:33 (PB). Not to be outdone, Janice McCartney ran a course best of 2:21:16, while Emma McCracken 2:30:38 (CPB) and Naomi Fleming 2:41:55 (CPB) also set new benchmarks.

The club was equally proud of its debutants, many of whom took on the half marathon distance looking for a new and exciting challenge. The first debutant home was Karen Heaney in 2:10:12, followed by Charlotte Connolly 2:12:24, Katie Irvine 2:21:53, Emma Ruddock 2:28:03, David Morton 2:43:59, and Stephanie Garrett 2:53:21. All crossed the line with big smiles and the satisfaction of completing their first Belfast Half, surely the first of many great events to come.

Elsewhere in Ireland, two Scrabo Striders made the journey south to Phoenix Park, Dublin, to take on the Dublin City Half Marathon. Known for its rolling hills and long drags, this course always tests endurance and strength, but it also rewards runners with stunning parkland scenery and the lively atmosphere of one of Ireland’s most popular half marathons. Representing the club in style, Maxine Dynes ran superbly to record a strong time of 01:52:28, holding her pace brilliantly over the undulating course. Not far behind, Sarah Luce crossed the line in 02:13:14. Both Striders did themselves and the club proud, embracing the challenge of Dublin’s hills and enjoying the electric race-day buzz that the capital always provides. Another two Scrabo Striders travelled further afield to Berlin Germany, to tackle one of the prestigious World Marathon Majors, with Veteran runner Norman Mawhinney completing the course in 03:18:51 and Georgia McGonigal making her marathon debut and completing the course in a commendable 05:09:51.

In other events, Emma Stewart took part in the Peninsula Sea Sprint Triathlon at Donaghadee, while the weather took a turn for the worse the swimming portion of the event had to be cancelled, the organisers managed to adapt the event to a run-bike-run event, and Emma completed it in a fantastic 1:27:50.

At Parkrun this week the Scrabo Striders strayed from Comber, as Vice-Captain George Johnston went to Stormont to celebrate his 100th parkrun. Luke Braniff led the Striders home in 21:07 with a CPB, followed closely by Harry McCready 21:47 (PB) and Willow Farrington 22:03. George Johnston celebrated his 100th parkrun in style with a time of 22:42. There were further PBs from Gayle Malaugh 24:14 and Keara Simpson 24:36, while Calum McCready notched up a CPB in 25:55.

At Comber Trevor Woodside was the first Strider home, storming in at 19:34 (PB), followed by Mark Halus in 22:45 and Abrar Hussain 23:26.

At Victoria Park, Michael Warke impressed with a superb 18:39 PB, and at Bangor Iona Chanas turned heads with a 23:16 PB, also securing 3rd female, Daniel Warke 23:18 also turned in a strong performance. The Alexander family made their mark at Belvoir Forest with Cheryl completing the newly opened course with daughters Faye and Eva. Meanwhile, Matthew Halus returned to Ormeau Park to achieve a CPB of 21:49.

At Junior parkrun the younger members of Scrabo Striders weren’t to be outdone, with Sophia Rea managing a PB of 9:15 at Bangor juniors also earning her 2nd female, followed by Rory Rea. At Jordanstown juniors Rory Braniff secured 3rd place with a time of 8:54.