On Sunday 31^st the Titanic Quarter 10K took place, the largest stand-alone road race in the Athletics NI calendar. Just over a thousand runners enjoyed bright sunshine as they paced through the landmarks of the Titanic Quarter in the harbour estate, starting and finishing at the Abercorn Residential Complex.

Local running club Scrabo Striders had 28 athletes competing with the first Strider to cross the line Curtis McCaw doing so in 36 minutes exactly, taking 43^rd position in a field of 1032 runners. Next across was the legendary Norman Mawhinney in 38:13 (72^nd) followed by Tim McEwan in 40:47 and Johnny Wray in 40:59. Phenomenal times.

Returning in fine form next across for Scrabo was Ricky Jordan in 45:13 followed by Andrew Strickland 47:26, David Turton 48:12, Ian Frazer 48:44 and Paul Blair in 49:01 achieving his first sub 50 time. A few seconds late came Peter Briggs in 49:05 followed by Connor McNamara and Stephen Ballagh tied on 49:16 with Mark Leathem just outside the sub 50 club on 50:13.

Scrabo Striders’ first lady finisher was Liz Turton in a solid 50:49 followed by Stuart Blair in 51:32 with Chris Green a second later, then came Jonathan Keenan 52:30, George Cash 52:38, Carole and Ian Bailie in under 54 minutes with Claire Briggs and Sonya Summersgill completing in just over 57 minutes.

With plenty of support along the way also running for Scrabo were Scot knight, Kathleen Henderson, Angie Crone, Steve McCormick, Linzi Stewart and Donna Dugan. Great running by all.

Last weekend the annual Dublin to Belfast Ultra run took place. Starting at the Guinness Gate and finishing at the Europa Hotel with checkpoints every ten miles, this challenge organised by Atlas Running is only for the very brave. Three Scrabo Striders entered with Liam Rodger withdrawing at 43 miles due to injury, Kieran McNamara and Andrea Cairns going on to finish, getting the coveted 100 Mile medal. Fellow club members are in awe.

At the Saturday morning Parkruns the personal best times just kept coming. Thomas Steele ran the 5km at Ward Park, Bangor in an impressive 21 minutes 22 seconds while at Stormont Nicola Forsythe set her new PB at 33.05.

At Parkway in Comber Ashely Gilliland ran her 50^th event with the support of 22 other Scrabo Striders, while personal best times were recorded by Wendy Thompson, Debi Allen, Joe Brown, Lynda Croskery and Alison Rodgers. Keep coming to training, keep watching those times reduce!

by George McGonigal