On Sunday 27^th May a group of Strider ladies took part in the “Race for Life”, a 5K run through the beautiful Stormont Estate, with stunning views of Carson’s statue and Stormont Building on the way up Prince of Wales Avenue followed by a downhill section along tree-lined paths to the finish. Part of over 150 similar runs across the UK raising vital funds to help fight cancer, the weather was glorious and the turnout huge.

Continuing the theme of ladies’ running, 16 Scrabo Strider ladies entered the Belfast Telegraph Runher Coastal Challenge on Friday evening. The 5K, 10K and for the first time half marathon distances took place along the Belfast Lough shore path from Holywood to Bangor, taking in a route from Crawfordsburn Country Park. Again the sun shone as Shannon Clegg completed the half marathon in 1 hour 45 minutes followed by Karen Donaghy, Eileen Pollock and Erin Donnelly.

In the 10K race Catherine Cauley took overall second place in 41:38 to claim a podium place. The next Strider to finish was Tina Boal followed by Rachel Boyle, Emma Clements, Wendy Thompson, Sonya Summersgill, Andrea Wilson, Laura Cooke and Diana Porter. Denise Nodder was the first Scrabo lady to finish the 5K in a time of 32:36 followed by Amanda Stewart and Alison James. Well done all the Scrabo ladies!

Scrabo Striders love to travel and that continued this weekend with runs in Newry, the Mountains of Mourne and Edinburgh. The Newry City Half Marathon took place on Sunday with Ricky Jordan first to finish for the club recording a new personal best time of 1 hour 31 minutes in doing so, followed in by Stephen Gargan. Only seconds apart came Graeme McGowan and Jenny Gargan in 1 hour 53 minutes followed by Charlie Allen and Abrar Hossain, also only seconds apart. Mark Gilmore and Rachel Tully were next to finish.

The Hill & Dale Series continued with race 6 completed by Jared Martin in 35:40 followed by Simon Hodge, Kieran McNamara and Nigel Martin. Across in bonnie Scotland the Edinburgh Marathon Festival was underway which comprised a variety of race distances and junior events. Three hardy Scrabo Striders completed the full Marathon, namely Ian Frazer in 3 hours 47 minutes, Adrian Boyd in 04:24 and Mark Leathem in 04:35. The previous morning Mark had also completed his 100^th Parkrun.

In other running Bill Buchanan completed the 5K Carrickmannon Challenge while in the 10K event Colin Harper finished first for Scrabo in a few seconds under 45 minutes followed by Justin Clegg, Russell Armour and Fiona McAvoy. During the week husband and wife team Nigel and Amanda Martin completed the Bann 10K.

All this great running starts somewhere and it is usually Parkrun that is the introduction to the sport. Scrabo Striders Curtis McCaw and Jared Martin secured overall 1^st and 2^nd place at Comber Parkrun on Saturday morning in times of 18:23 and 18:42 respectively. Next to finish were Nigel and Amanda Martin followed by Mark and Matthew Halus in just over 28 minutes. Next came Ashley Gilliland and Kathryn Chesney both securing new personal bests at Parkway, followed by Robert Neill, Naomi Davidson, Deborah Allen and Lynda Croskery with a new personal best (PB).

At Ward Park, Bangor the club was represented by Caroline Dwyer, Peter Briggs, Sheena Crone, Vanessa Mannis (PB) and Catherine Lavery while David and Liz Turton ran at Stormont. Nicola McNamara ran at Victoria while Kathy Henderson secured a new course best at the same venue. Over in Carrickfergus Mick Honeyman and Paul Moore got the job done in just over 27 minutes while Rex McCormick travelled to Dungloe, Donegal and Robin Adams to Ellenbrook Fields, England for “Parkies”.  Well done all.

Don't forget our next open race, which will be “Run the Trails” Half Marathon and 10K at Mount Stewart on the shores of Strangford Lough. The races take place on Saturday 4^th August from 6:30 pm and all finishers will receive some special bling. With places limited to 500 runners and registration now open, you’d better hurry!