STRIDERS LIGHT UP SCRABO

On Sunday 11 January 2026  Scrabo Striders members joined together at Scrabo Tower to light up the Tower in honour of their late Coach and member Heath Graham who sadly passed away two years ago due to a short illness.

Heath was such a memorable character who supported every runner no matter what club they were part of or what running journey they were on.  With his big personality and his antics that he brought to every event he attended made him such an unforgettable character.   He was such an integral part of Scrabo Striders and will forever be missed and fondly remembered by us all.

In other news this week, Striders also attended Cross Country events at Mallusk.  On a very windy, rainy Sunday afternoon 9 female striders took on the 6k route.  First female home was Karen Collins with a time of 29.16, next was Lynsey Cleland with a great time of 33.08.  Next was Sonya Summersgill in a time of 34.19 followed by Faye Alexander in a time of 35.47.  Then we had Captain Gillian Pearson with a time of 36.39, followed by Cheryl Alexander in a time of 41.19 quickly followed by Jenna Lavery in 41.20 and next was Jennifer McAteer in 45.43.

There was 5 male members who took on the challenge.  First home was Captain Matt Bell in 34.33 followed by Daniel Warke in 38.26 then Simon Ferguson in 39.42, followed by Steven Hanna in 43.06 and then Vice Captain George Johnston in a time of 46 minutes.

Iona Chanas was the junior strider who took on the 2k route for under 13s in an amazing time of 9.20.

In other events this weekend, Maxine Dynes took on East Antrim Marathon Series, Beat the January Blues Marathon and was First female finisher with an impressive time of 4 hours 24 minutes.

Saturday morning was again another frosty start so several parkruns in the area where cancelled, but 39 members found 7 venues to take on their 5k fix.  Stormont was the busiest with 28 members attending.  Other venues were Belfast Victoria, Orangefield, Belvoir Forest, Carrickfergus and Newry.   Lone member Michael Burgess headed a bit further afield to Erris in RoI and was the  3rd  male to  complete the 5k in an amazing time of 21.55.   Well done Michael.

Sunday morning saw Junior striders siblings Keara and Olly Simpson head to Belfast Victoria for their weekly parkrun.  Keara completed the course in 9.47 and was 2nd female.  Olly was quickly behind in a time of 10.04.