Scrabo Striders turned Belfast Purple at Belfast City Marathon and relay

By Aimee Braniff

Belfast came alive on marathon day as Striders took to the streets in purple, tackling every mile of the City Marathon and relay with Big Smiles, Determination and Spirit!

The atmosphere throughout the 26.2 miles was exhilarating with 5 Striders making their first marathon debut, huge congratulations to Lynsey Cleland in a time of 3:57:03, followed by Colin Verth in 4:18:00, Michael Brown in 4:29:24, Catherine Lavery in 4:37:08 and Aaron Cleland in 6:02:41.

Max Burton was the first Strider home in a flying personal best time of 2:57:39 followed by Norman Mawhinney in a time of 3:23:26, Craig Simpson in 3:46:36, Rebecca Robinson in 3:50:46, Amanda Martin in 4:00:58, Peter Doggart in 4:01:28, Jonathon Caughey in 4:09:47, Gary Clarke in 4:11:11, Maxine Dynes in 4:11:46, James Cole-Boyle in 4:16:41, Steven Hanna in 4:18:24, Mark Halus in 4:19:36 who achieved a personal best, Penny Hamilton in 4:25:03, Colette McKelvey in 4:36:00, Darren Johnston in 4:36:04, Gary Lyttle in 4:44:34, Moses Matovu in 5:19:05, Lyndsey Blair in 5:30:04, Karen Clarke in 5:32:12 achieving a personal best, Nicola Forsythe and Richard Murray in 5:35:50 and Colin Campbell in 5:36:57.

There were also many Striders competing in the Relay marathon, NotSoFastFeet included Strider members Gillian Kerr (Leg 1), Luke Braniff (Leg 2), Sarah Luce McCready (Leg 4 and 5) and Stephen Braniff (Leg 5) with a time of 4:37:24, Fab Five included Emma Craig (Leg 1), Karen Wilson (Leg 2), Caroline Wilson Dwyer (Leg 3), Gary Barritt (Leg 4) and Chris Edwards (Leg 5) with a time of 3:58:49, Roses and Thorns included Joanne Wray (Leg 1), Kurtis Hunter (Leg 2), Cheryl Hunter (Leg 3), Olli Seeger (Leg 4) and Kerrie Seeger (Leg 5) with a time of 4:34:24, So Confused included Karen Collins (Leg 1 and 2), Beverley McKee (Leg 3), Lorraine Adams (Leg 5) and Jennifer McAteer (Leg 5) with a time of 4:19:05, NK Group included Graeme Magowan (Leg 1), Jasmine Holden (Leg 2) and Simon Ferguson (Leg 3,4 and 5) with a time of  3:53:18, Team Breen included Paul Breen (Leg 5) in a time of 4:21:37, Peggy’s Roses included Phil Adams (Leg 1), David Morton (Leg 2), Angie Crone (Leg 3), Sarah McMaster (Leg 4) and Kim Coachrane (Leg 5) with a time of 5:09:30, 60 and Fab included Michael Williams (Leg 1 and 2) with a time of 3:43:42, We Can Do It included Sharon Murdoch (Leg 1 and 2) and Alyson Graham (Leg 3,4 and 5) with a time of 4:20:09, Tues Nite Runs included Hugh Lyons (Leg 1), Emma McCracken (Leg 2), Jenna Lavery (Leg 3) and Gillian Pearson (Leg 4) with a time of 4:21:33, Quills included Sonya Summersgill (Leg 2), Last minute included Beverley Blaine (Leg 2) and Ashley Gilliland (Leg 3) with a time of 4:16:01, Coredashions included Lisa Boal (Leg 5) in a time of 4:36:02, Ards Nitros included Dan Warke (Leg 3 ) and Matt Bell (Leg 4 and 5) in a time of 2:57:39. Well Done all, An Amazing day filled with Support, accomplishment and Fun!

Thank you to all of the Supporters and helpers who helped to cheer on all the Striders and make the Marathon a fun and memorable experience!

Before the Sunday’s main event, On Saturday, Graeme Black completed the Strolling Jim 41 miler Ultra in Wartrace Tennessee, USA. He completed it in a time of 6:29:29, finishing 20th. What an amazing Achievement, Well Done Graeme.

As a Warm up, Many Striders completed a parkrun, over 50 Striders ran at 10 Venues with the most popular being Orangefield with 22 Striders who came together to celebrate Keara Simpsons 100th Parkrun, she also achieved a CPB of 25.17, an incredible achievement Keara, Well Done! Congratulations to Joe Brown who celebrated his 50th Parkrun at Comber.

Huge well done to the following who achieved a Course Personal Best (CPB) at Orangefield, Willow, Heath and Graeme Farrington, Rory Braniff, Sonya Summersgill, Chris Edwards, Karen Wilson, Sarah Luce McCready and Maddie Dynes. Well done to the following Podium finishers at their respective park runs, Willow Farrington came 2nd Female at Orangefield and Michael Burgess  who came 3rd overall at IIIaunnmanagh parkrun. Fantastic times, Well Done All.

On Sunday, 6 Junior completed a parkrun at 2 venues with the most popular being Comber. Well Done to Heath Farrington who came 3rd overall at Comber and Lyla Rose McNamara who achieved a PB of 10:23 at Bangor Parkrun. Well Done to all Junior Striders!

An Amazing Weekend full of Excitement, Nerves and Support. Congratulations to all Striders!!

By Aimee Braniff