Striders run from Hill and Dale to the Coast

Another busy week with hill and dale and other born to run races dominating our race schedule.

The week started with our 2 usual mountain goats Karen Collins and Simon Ferguson racing in their weekly hill and dale race but we’re joined by recently former club captain Matt Bell. This week’s race was the 4th in the race series Meelmore and first in just over 42 minutes was Simon Ferguson with Matt Bell coming in next over 48 mins and Karen Collins coming in just over the 1hr 5 mins mark. Amazing running guys over rocky inclines and declines after speaking up Simon he would love others to come along and run these races and build strength and resilience so all over road races will feel flatter and easier in comparison.

Next up Saturday morning was born to runs next race the Coast Half Marathon and 10K.  Fresh of her hill and dale race Karen Collins ran the Half marathon in an amazing time of just over 1 hour 50 minutes and Jenny Taylor also ran the Half Marathon in a time of just over 2 hours. More Striders rain the 10K race with Richard Murray back down to 10K after his recent Belfast Marathon and he ran just over 57 minutes next in was David Morton coming just under the 1 hour 10 mins with club captain Nicola Forsythe in next just under the 1 hour 12 minutes mark and Angie Crone and Kim Cochrane finishing the striders representation in times of around 1 hour 14 minutes well done to all of our athletes representing the club at this event.

Lastly on Sunday Morning before the keep er lit Newell races in which they offer a 1 mile junior race and 5/10K Lyla Rose McNamara completed the primary school race and she was amazing representing our club at this event so very well done Lyla.

The weekend wouldn’t be the weekend without parkrun and our most popular parkrun was out local comber parkrun and former club captain Amanda Martin celebrated her 250th parkrun and she got a great turnout of striders and want to wish her all the best towards her next milestone of 500 parkruns. 56 striders ran at 10 different events so well done to all.

Our regular training sessions are Monday and Wednesday at 7.15 mainly from Londonderry Park Portaferry Road Newtownards unless on location for hills or other specific training.

Our Couch to 5K starts Tuesdays and Thursdays using the NHS 9 week training plan suitable for all levels of runners whether you don’t run yet or are thinking of restarting. You’ll be made more than welcome and it is totally free all you have to do is turn up and our team of coaches will help you with technique and motivation to get started and get you running with a slow progression week on week.  Our WhatsApp group chat is available https://chat.whatsapp.com/BtA5XqAgLhxHMhcBjLszAC

Our Social Runs are non coach led and are welcome to anyone to come along for a social 5K on Friday nights Conway Square 6.30 with a social tea or coffee at Tim Hortons or Sunday Morning 9am Conway Square everyone welcome and encouraged to come along for a range of different distances and all speeds are welcome with a social gathering afterwards at bow bells for tea coffee and refreshments.