Local Runners Impress at Legends of the Lakes and Dambusters Events

Local athletes were in fine form over the weekend as they competed in the popular Legends of the Lakes and Dambusters races, producing a number of strong performances across a range of distances.

At the Legends of the Lakes 5K in Craigavon, Trevor Woodside delivered an outstanding run, crossing the line in a rapid 19:02 to lead the local contingent home. Clare McIlveen also turned in a solid performance, completing the course in 28:45.

At the 10K race saw Alyson Graham achieve a personal best with the longer challenge and record an impressive 55:54, maintaining a strong pace throughout the scenic route.

There were also notable performances at the Dambusters 10 Mile Race, where Graeme McGowan was first among the local runners with an excellent time of 1:25:11. Next was Gareth Miskimmon in 1.28.35 quickly followed by Jenny Taylor in a time of 1.28.52  then Karen Collins completed the demanding course in 1:30:19. Nichola Caughey rounded off a successful day for the club with a time of 1:39:17.

Meanwhile, the Dambusters 5K attracted a competitive family event for the McCready brothers with Harry producing a superb run to finish in 21:03 and Calum in an impressive time of 30:14, narrowly ahead of their mum Sarah Luce, who crossed the line in 30:23.

Also over the weekend Scrabo Striders members were out in force across Northern Ireland and beyond, with several personal bests, course personal bests and first-time appearances highlighting another successful weekend of parkrun action.

At Comber parkrun, Michael Williams led the Striders home with an impressive 20:43 personal best, while Lyla Rose McNamara also celebrated a course personal best (30:51). Sharon Murdoch marked her 50th parkrun milestone with a time of 33:37.

There was more success at Bangor parkrun, where Andy Scase produced a superb 22:51 personal best, while Logan Fowles recorded a course PB of 22:14. James Forsythe also achieved a course PB of 32:48.

At Belfast Victoria parkrun, both Hannah Breen (26:56) and Paul Breen (26:57) celebrated first-time appearances and personal bests, while Sophia Rea and Karen Warnock both completed the course on their debuts.

Strong performances were also recorded at Sixmilewater parkrun, with Nicola Forsythe posting a course PB of 31:38, while Richard Murray, Angie Crone and David Morton all made their first visits to the event.

The club's standout placing came at Enniskillen parkrun, where Trevor Woodside finished second overall in 20:13, while Clare McIlveen completed the course in 28:50.

Elsewhere, first-time visits were logged by runners across several venues, including Glenfarne Woods, Claudy Country Park, Ecos Ballymena, Riverside Ballymoney, Citypark Craigavon, Crawfordsburn Country, and Dungannon Park, demonstrating the club's continued enthusiasm for tourism and exploring new courses.

By Nicola Forsythe