Striding the Ards 5 Mile Challenge

On Friday 4^th August the Ards Lions 5 Mile Challenge road race took place with 56 members completing the course. This long established race follows a flat route from Londonderry Park out the Portaferry road to the intersection of Finlays Road where the hills begin. The climb to the hamlet of Loughries now seems relatively easy compared to the undulating hills of the Bowtown Road, but with Castle Gardens Primary in sight it was a big and welcome downhill back to the park.

This charitable race was organised by Ards Lions with Regent Business Equipment the main sponsor. Every Lions Clubs supports a range of good causes and projects in its area where you can get involved. This year Lions International celebrate their centenary. Once again the weather was very kind with some sunshine, a light breeze and mild temperatures, with lots of support along the route for the 173 runners who took part. A big tanks to all the organisers, sponsors, marshals and PSNI.

Jasmine Geddis came first in the Female Junior category, congratulations Jasmine. First Strider across the line was Jonny Kinney in under 34 minutes and the first lady was Maureen Rea in just over 40 minutes. A total of 13 club members completed the course in under 40 minutes, namely Simon Hodge, Graeme McGowan, Paul Sheldon, Chris Stevenson, Mark Leathem, Connor McNamara, Russell Armour, David Turton, Colin Harper, Garry Cavill, Ian Frazer and Justin Clegg.

In a finishing time of under 45 minutes followed Charles Allen, Mark Halus, Olli Seeger, Gary Clarke, Mervyn Kinney, Caroline Dwyer, Lynn Sheldon, George McGonigal, Carl Harris, Paul Kirkwood, Thomas Rowlinson, Deborah Erskine, Alison Busby and Gavin Hanafin. In under fifty minutes followed Sheena Crone, Michael Honeyman, Abrar Hossain, Dawn Ross, Lindsey Lappin, Stephen Campbell, Rachel Patterson, Nicola Honeyman, Nicola McNamara, Nicola Irvine, Barry Tate, Wendy Thompson, Lindsey Allen, Robert Neill, Noel Angus, Steven McCormick, Sharon Graham, Emma Geddis and Lorraine Adams.

Then came Catherine Lavery, Caroline Smyth, Sharon Redmond, Donna Dugan, Karen Clarke, Christine Kirkwood, Kurtis Hunter and Carleen Seeger. This race showed clearly how Scrabo Striders membership has grown, from a handful of entrants last year to over fifty this year, helping to make 2017 the largest Ards 5 Mile Challenge ever.

During the week (2^nd August) the Crawfordsburn 5K Trail Race took place. This off road event through the country park presents a new set of challenges, especially to those more used to running on tarmac. Plenty of slips and slides. First gent to complete the course for Scrabo Striders was Alan Steen and the club’s first lady was Shannon Clegg. Then came Connor McNamara, Mark Leathem, Kieran McNamara, Tina Miller, David Turton, Justin Clegg, Charles Allen, Gary Hunsdale, Jonathan Keenan, Sheena Crone, Lisa Bell and Lindsey Allen. Good work folks. In other events Ian Frazer ran the Delamont 10K, Steven Craythorne ran the Broughshane 10K and Graeme McGowan and Scot Knight completed the Cookstown Half Marathon on July 30^th.

Even with the exertions of Friday evening, Saturday morning saw Chris Stevenson complete his 50^th Parkrun at Ward Park, Bangor where Matthew Carville, Paul Sheldon, David Turton, Mervyn Kinney, Gary Clarke, Ian Frazer, Mick Honeyman, Sharon Graham, Caroline Smyth, Wendy Thompson, Carleen Seeger and Leanne Hanna also completed the 5K circuit. Comber Parkrun was completed by Curtis McCaw in just over 17 minutes, a fantastic time, followed by Matthew Halus, Mark Halus and first timer Paulette Reynolds. Mark Leathem ran the Stormont event in under 25 minutes while Lorraine McCrum ran her first Ormeau Parkrun alongside Andrea Da Silva.

Well done everyone!