Scrabo Striders are Born 2 Run in the Dark

(Scrabo Striders at Drum Manor)

On Wednesday 13th Nov, almost 30 Striders fancied their chances of running Stormont!

The Annual Run in the dark took place in the stunning grounds of the Stormont Estate. In the 10k which was 2 laps of the course, the first 3 striders to cross the finish line were Jason Lindsay (43.31), Jonny Kinney (43.44) and Matthew Cavill (47.17). Just over the 50 minute mark came Mark Leathem, John Brown, Paul Blair, Deborah Wilson and Gayle Murlaugh. Other impressive runners that managed to take on “that hill” twice were Leanne Campbell (56:11), Karl Henderson (56.39), Ken Rodgers (57:04), Gary Cavill (57:15), Bill McGucken (57.21), Caroline Smyth (59:32) and Chris Stevenson (59:33). A strong finish saw Lyndsey Blair and Wendy Thompson complete the Strider compliment just over the hour.

In the 1 lap version George Cash completed the tough 5k route in 28.09 and George was followed by Linda Ingram, David Rainey, Emma McCracken and Jenna Lavery just over the 30 minute mark. Bronagh Shields, Kim Cochrane, Kelly Houston, Alison Rodgers and Mariead Curran completed the 5k line up flying the purple for Scrabo.

Over to the second race of the Born to Run Series at Drum Manor, just outside Cookstown where 16 of our most dedicated trail runners took to the start line. In the 10K race, Justin Clegg, aptly known as “Just in Time” was the first to cross the line in Purple with an impressive 45.00. Justin was closely followed by Paul Mcknight (45.53) with Justin’s wife Shannon Clegg finishing in 48.11. The remaining finishers to battle their way through the tough forest park and woodlands course were Lesley Semple (50.35), Paul Morrow (51.40), Steve McCormick (54.43), Andrea Thompson (54.56), Ken Rodgers (56.39) and Rebecca Lund.

In the 5k of the same event, Angie Crone finished first in 36.21 followed by Nicole Clegg (38.38), Kim Cochrane (39.25), Erin Donnelly (41.54), Susanne McVea (44.41), Maraied Curran (49:34) and Alison Rodgers (49:35). A fantastic turn out.

Scrabo Striders husband and wife duo of Paul & Lyndsey Blair made their way to Blackburn, England to compete in the Blackburn 10K to celebrate Paul’s birthday. Paul crossed the line in 49.00 with Lyndsey finishing in 57.56. Lyndsey is adamant Paul was allowed to “win” as a birthday present.

Congratulations to Nicola McNamara who completed her 100th Parkrun at Bangor on Saturday. A brilliant achievement. Elsewhere the following recorded a PB at their respective parkruns: James Lappin 19.45, Victoria Atkinson 24.16, Dean McGhee 25.42, Riley Hanna 26.47, David Rainey 30.23, Jacqueline Magee 28.35 and Isabella Harper in 32.00.

Nicola McNamara, 100th Parkrun

Huge Congratulations to Justin Black from Scrabo Striders. Justin completed the Ultra Marathon at Tollymore Forrest Park on Saturday. The total distance covered was around 39 miles and Justin completed the course well under the 7 hour mark.

Steven Craythorn was the sole Strider over in Ballynahinch taking on the Co. Down 5K Championship in an impressive 27.51

It wouldn’t be a Scrabo Striders Chronicle article without mentioning the legend that is Norman Mawhinney. Although Norman was not wearing the purple he has become accustomed to, he instead settled for the white vest of the masters NI Cross Country team at the XC event in Aintree. Congratulations Norman.

by Colin Harper

Norman Mawhinney

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