Mounting the Mournes and Rocking in Dublin

(Striders at Crawfordsburn 5K)

Another busy running week for local club Scrabo Striders, with some notable personal achievements along the way, from mountains to half marathons to ultra-running.

This year’s Mourne “Sevens Seven’s” race took place on the 10th August starting from Donard car park in Newcastle and taking in Slieve Donard and Commedagh peaks followed by Bernagh, the Meels, Bencrom Dam, Binnian, Lamagan then back to the finish line in Donard Park. Scrabo Strider James Lappin completed this immense challenge in 5 hours 19 minutes and 53 seconds, part of the NI Mountain Running Association championship.

James Lappin

The music themed Dublin Rock N Roll half marathon took place on Sunday with Norman Mawhinney the first Strider to finish, in a fantastic time of 1 hour 24 minutes 10 seconds, followed by brothers Paul and Stuart Blair both recording new personal best times of 02:00:47 and  02:06:46 respectively. Next came Lyndsey Blair in 02:16:28 and Allie Farley with a new PB of 02:54:00 accompanied by Liam Rodger. Well done all in taking some #purplepower to the streets of Dublin.

The second race in the Ultimate Ultra took place at Londonderry Park on Sunday, where athletes choose a distance of 50km or 100km and run loops of the park until they complete. Dave Stevenson completed the 50km in a brilliant time of 4 hours 30 minutes, followed by Graeme McGowan in 05:40 and Gavin McDonnell in 07:15. Well done gents, third and final race coming soon.

Graeme McGowan, Dave Stevenson & Gavin McDonnell

Scrabo Striders were well represented at the Saturday morning 5km Parkruns, with Curtis McCaw taking overall first at Comber in 19 minutes 7 seconds and Lesley Semple taking 3rd place in 23:13 setting a new course personal best in the process. Over at the Queens Parkrun new personal bests were set by Victoria Atkinson (24:05) and Jacqueline Bell (30:15).

During the week at the Crawfordsburn 5K Trail race Ricky Jordan claimed 23rd place in a field of over 300 runners completing the distance in 20 minutes 10 seconds, followed in for Scrabo by Tim McEwan in 21:35 and Kurtis Hunter in 23:02. Scrabo’s first lady was Lesley Semple in 24:44 then Emma Clements in 25:48 and Gayle Malaugh in 26:43. Rumour has it there are some tough hills on this course, so well done all.

The very popular Mallusk 5 Mile road race was held on Friday night, hosted by the Mallusk Harriers followed by pizza! David Stevenson was the first Strider across the line in 35:14 followed by Norman Mawhinney with an age category 1st of 35:39 and Thomas Steele in 36:15. In the ladies race Liz Turton finished first for the club in 42:58 followed by Caroline Dwyer 43:37 and Amanda Piesse in 44:51. Great crowd, great race, great fun.

So why not join Scrabo Striders? Training nights are a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:15 pm at Londonderry Park and all are welcome. We would like to emphasise that Scrabo Striders training is for all ability levels and is non-competitive. You will be sure to hook up with a group that trains at your pace. The club also has a great social side as well. You can find out more at www.scrabostriders.com

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