Championships to Coast Roads by Sarah Luce

Coleraine Campus 5K and Ni and Ulster 5K Road Championship

On Friday evening, Springwell Running Club hosted the 2026 NI & Ulster 5K Road Championship in association with Athletics Northern Ireland. The race took place entirely within the grounds of Ulster University’s Coleraine campus and comprised just under four laps of the main campus road loop. Sole Strider Norman Mawhinney finished Race 2, for the 18–22-minute category, in 19:21, winning the M65 NI and Ulster Champion title.

VCs Race 2026

Also on Friday evening, the annual Vice Captain’s Race took place at Crawfordsburn Country Park. Traditionally organised by the Vice Captains as something a little different, this year’s event continued that spirit. The first race of the night was the 2K children’s race, with juniors setting off in waves according to age and the youngest runners starting first. Junior Maisie McNamara led the pack in her first race with the club. The flat, fast course helped many of the juniors achieve personal bests. In the girls’ race, the podium places went to Iona Chanas in first, Penelope Davies in second and Lyla McNamara in third. In the boys’ race, Heath Farrington claimed first place, followed by Elijah Ferguson in second and Michael Bingham in third.

This year’s adults’ race was themed around teamwork, something Scrabo Striders are very proud of. Runners were placed into random teams of six and took on the challenging 3.6K course, with the aim of having the whole team finish together, regardless of ability. It was a great opportunity for members to run with people they may not know as well, and for the new Couch to 5K graduates to get to know others in the club. The red team were last across the line and were awarded purple- and green-themed wooden spoons, while the winning orange team received the coveted mugs featuring a photo of the Vice Captains.

Run Armagh 6-hour challenge and marathon

The hills of Crawfordsburn on Friday night were not enough for Strider Jennifer McAteer, who headed to Armagh to take part in the six-hour challenge. Starting at midnight, Jennifer completed 14 loops, covering just under 8.5 miles.

Parkrun

Striders took part in 12 parkruns, ranging from local events across Northern Ireland to runs further afield. Michael Burgess travelled to Co. Tipperary for Knockanacree Woods Parkrun, while Clare McIlveen and Trevor Woodside completed York Community Woodland Parkrun. Across the pond, Deborah Wilson ran Brooklyn Bridge Parkrun, and Ladies Captain Nicola Forsythe, along with her husband James, took on Jamaica Pond Parkrun in Boston.

Antrim Coast Half Marathon

The Antrim Coast Half Marathon returned to Larne on Sunday. Widely regarded as one of the fastest half marathons in the world, it offers ideal conditions for personal bests and first-time runners, along with a superb mix of town and coastal running. The event drew runners from more than 26 countries, including six Scrabo Striders. Colette McKelvey was first Strider home in 1.46.15 followed closely by Rebecca Robinson in 1:47:17. Karen Collins finished in 1:50:17 and Penny Hamilton ran a PB in 1:52:47. Jonathan Winter paced the sub-2:15 group, guiding runners to the finish comfortably inside their target in 2:12:39. Jazz Holden completed the Strider runners in 2.24.24.

Storming the Castle

Storming the Castle 10K returned on Sunday afternoon to celebrate its 10th year. First up were juniors Maisie and Lyla McNamara, still in race mode from Friday. Maisie completed the 1K race in 6 mins, while Lyla finished the older 2K race in 9:05. The adults’ 10K course is fast, flat and ideal for personal bests. Starting at the amphitheatre, runners passed through the historic town of Carrickfergus, along the promenade with views across Belfast Lough, before finishing at the impressive castle near the town centre. Karen Heaney was the first Strider home, securing an impressive PB of 52:45, followed by Lorraine Adams with another PB of 58:24. Beverley McKee was next in 1:02:25, followed by Kim Cochrane in 1:10:40.