Storm Amy tried to blow us away – But Scrabo Striders Kept Running!

BY AIMEE BRANIFF

Even though Storm Amy was powering through the country that didn’t stop 6 eager Striders from trooping on and attending parkruns. Mark Halus and Judith Boyd attended Orangefield parkrun, Judith finished in a time of 27.22 and Mark finished in a time of 27.25. Junior Strider Lyla McNamara completed a parkrun all the way in Southampton with a time of 38.09, Well Done Lyla!! Michael Warke completed the Falcarragh Parkrun in Donegal and had a podium finish, he came in 2nd with an amazing time of 20.06, Well done Michael.

A busy weekend for Jenna Lavery and Georgia McGonigal as they attended Barry Island parkrun on Saturday and then Completed the Cardiff Half marathon on Sunday. At the Parkrun on Saturday, Georgia finished with a time of 34.30 and Jenna finished with a time of 34.38.  On Sunday Jenna came in with a time of 2.06.11 and Georgia came in at a time of 2.17.27. Fabulous running, Well done!

On Sunday 13 junior striders attended parkruns in 3 different venues with our most popular being Comber Junior Parkrun with 3 amazing Podium finishes.  First strider to cross the line was Heath Farrington who finished 2nd with a fast time of 8.53, followed close behind in 3rd by Joe Brown who finished with a time of 8.56.  Next was Keara Simpson who was first female over the line with a time of 9.07 followed by Elijah Ferguson (9.38), Olly Simpson (9.41) and Lydia Blair (11.54).  Bangor parkrun saw 5 striders.  First strider over the line was Harry Monaghan (9.25) followed by fellow striders Nathaniel Frazer (9.53 – CPB), Harriet Frazer (13.04), Sophia Rea (13.50) and Rory Rea (15.53). Ormeau junior parkrun saw brothers Michael and Joshua Bingham who finished close behind each other, Michael finished with a time of 10.52 and Joshua finished with a time of 10.55. Well Done Juniors, Amazing Achievements and Fantastic Running!

On Sunday was the Groomsport 10k which saw 54 Striders in attendance. This race hosted by Ward Park runners initially follows the Bangor Road to the Groomsport Road Roundabout, then loops back towards Groomsport. It continues on another loop through the picturesque rural roads surrounding the village, before returning to the finish line at Groomsport FC.  This course is a hilly one but that never stops Scrabo Striders. First strider over the finish line was Norman Mawhinney in with a chip time of 39.20, he was followed by fellow striders Trevor Woodside (39.53), James Cole-Boyle (42.47), Michael Johnston (44.13), Luke Braniff (46.34), George Johnston (46.35), Sarah Johnston (46.45), Simon Ferguson (48.46), Karen Collins (48.47), Mark Arnold (49.20), Alison Busby (49.23), Jenny Taylor (50.14), Steven Hanna (50.16), Johnathon Keenan (51.06), Graeme McGowan (51.46), Martin Conroy (52.02), Peter Doggart (52.27), Emma Lyttle (53.33), Caroline Dwyer (53.40), Gary Lyttle (53.38), Clare McIlveen (53.41), Craig Simpson and Darren Johnston (53.50), Paul Blair (54.03), Philip Adams (54.25), Sonya Summersgill (55.13), Johnathon Wray (55.22), Catherine Lavery (56.17), Gary Clarke (56.21), Jasmine Holden (57.17), Naomi Fleming (58.58), Alyson Graham (59.08), Gareth Robson (1.00.06), Sharon Murdoch (1.00.46), Gordie McEwan (1.03.04), Beverley Mckee (1.03.44), Michele Ennis (1.03.55), Fiona McAvoy (1.04.36), Lorraine Adams and Karen Clarke (1.04.36), Martina Finn (1.04.37), Emma McCracken (1.06.31), Daniel Warke (1.08.12), Janice McCartney (1.08.23), Ellen Ross (1.08.24), Cheryl Alexander (1.10.51), Eden Dinsmore (1.10.53) and Karen Heaney (1.10.53), Joanne Wray (1.11.35), Elaine McGonigal (1.12.03), Lisa Boal (1.12.13), David Morton (1.13.34), Nicola Forsythe (1.15.10) and Gillian Bailie (1.31.56). Super Running by everyone, Well Done!!

Also on Sunday Harry McCready and Naomi Magowan competed in The Armagh 6km and 10 Mile. Harry competed in the 6Km race and came in with an amazing time of 28.38 which is a course Personal Best. Super Running Harry!! Naomi competed in the 10 mile race and came in with a time of 1.29.05. Well Done Both!

Massive Congratulations to David Morton and Faye Alexander who were both awarded September’s Members of the month.

To End off the Week, A huge congratulations to Harry McCready and Rory Braniff who have been selected to be a part of Athletics NI Rising Stars Squad, they are amongst a few who will be participating in a 9 Week course at the Mary Peter’s track where the boys will receive expert training in a fun, supportive environment. This is an amazing opportunity for the boys to improve their running skills and build their confidence for their long running career ahead. Well done Harry and Rory and Good Luck!!

Fabulous running this week despite Storm Amy, Well done everyone!

By Aimee Braniff