HO HO GO !!!Striders Santa Dash to raise funds for NI Hospice!

With the festive season in full swing, some striders took part in both NI Hospice Santa Dash and also Evora Hospice 5k Memorial Run.

Both 5k fun runs to raise much needed funds and awareness for hospice care in Northern Ireland.  NI Hospice run took place in V36 park at Valley Leisure Centre on Sunday 7th December.   7 Striders took part in this run.  Alyson Graham was the first strider finished in 30 minutes and 50 seconds.  Next was a group of girls who all ran together Karen Heaney, Dawn Moore, Eden Floyd and Emma Calvert all completing together in a time of 37.50.  Naomi Fleming was next in with  a time of 40.32 and Gillian Bailie next in a time of 47.46.

Our lone junior Strider Jodi Morton completed the 1k kids race also.

The McCready family decided to head to Newry to support the Evora Hospice 5k run.  First finishing a impressive time of 22 minutes was Harry, then next Calum in a time of 27.32 followed by their mum Sarah in a time of 28.32.

The Dynes family headed to Ballycran on Saturday for their Santa Dash 5k.  Maddie completed the 5k race in 33.45 and Maxine was first female finisher in a fantastic time of 25.05.

Also this weekend Striders headed to Cookstown for the Irwin Spiers Cross Country Event.   Lone Male Strider Simon Ferguson took on the 4 mile route in a great time of 33.29.  The ladies had more of a turnout with 9 ladies taking the trip.  First female strider home was Karen Collins in a time of 26.53, next was Faye Alexander in 32.18 quickly followed by lady Captain Gillian Pearson in 32.33.  Next lady home was Sarah Luce in 33.45 and Karen Wilson in a time of 36.22.  Next 3 striders home in very quick succession were Cheryl Alexander, Jenna Lavery and Emma McCracken in times of 39.23, 39.38 and 39.56 respectively, next was Jennifer McAteer in a time of 46.31.

Not to be outdone, Junior Striders also took part.  In the under 10 category saw Eijah Ferguson and Caleb Edwards cross the line together in a time of 5.10.   In the under 12 category saw Heath Farrington, Alana Edwards and Calum McCready in times of 4.35, 5,03 and 5.16 respectively.  Also taking part in under 16 was Harry McCready in a time of 14.13 and Willow Farrington in a time of 16.01.

As usual on a Saturday morning sees Striders head to Parkrun events.  Most attended parkrun this week was Stormont Parkrun for Mairead Currans 50th Parkrun.  19 members headed to Stormont Estate to complete the parkrun.  Georgia McGonigal and Graeme Hawkins also achieved Course Personal Bests at the event too.  Georgia in a time of 30.41 and Graeme in a time of 34.20.  Lynsey McIvor achieved a personal best time of 35.52 also.

Striders also attended Crawfordsburn, Bangor, Belfast Victoria, Orangefield, Comber, Ormeau, Enniskillen, Belvoir Forest, Portrush and as far away as Dundalk.

In other events this weekend, saw our very own veteran Norman Mawhinney and club member Michael Warke take on Hyrox in London.  Norman was first in his age category and M65 Champion.  He completed the course in a time of 1hr 19 minutes and 50 seconds.  Michael completed the course in a time of 1.06.02.  A bit further afield and slightly warmer climate saw club member Louise Meehan take on Valencia Marathon.  Louise completed this course in a time of 4 hours 15 minutes.

By Nicola Forsythe