We organise lots of events and challenges throughout the year. Above all they are about promoting and encouraging participation.  We recognise all our members as winners whether they are first over the line or last.  Here is a summary of our main events:

Striders Super 8 Series

A selection of 8 events (races/local parkruns) spread out over the year from March to November where members earn points for taking part and points for age category placings.  The points are all totted up at the end of the series and prizes are awarded to first, second and third male and female with the overall male and female winners claiming the coveted “McCaughtry Cup” at our Annual Awards Ceremony.  Members who complete 6 or more of the 8 events also bag a memento of the series, which for 2026-27 is a bespoke buff.  Full details of the 2026-27  series can be found via this link.

Naked parkrun

Once a year we head off as a group to a local parkrun.  Before the run participants submit an estimate of their finish time.  The running watches and gps kit are ditched for the day and the winner of the challenge is the person who predicts closest to their official parkrun published finish time.

Club Handicap

A 5k race where runners start in waves based on their last 3 official 5k finish times with the slower runners setting off first.  The winner is first over the line – always a thrilling finish guaranteed.

Florida Manor

In June every year we hold our “festival of running” in the delightful grounds of Florida Manor, outside Killinchy.  This event for our members and their families only, with no external entries permitted.  There are a variety of challenges and distances on offer including 3hr and 6hr endurance, 5k, 10k walk or run, a half-marathon (new for 2026) and a fun team relay race too with prizes for winners and for 2026, a bespoke reusable cup for all – it’s a bring the deckchair and picnic and have a good laugh kind of day.

Anniversary Race

To celebrate the anniversary of the club’s formation in October, we invite runners from all over the country to join us for our 5/10k race round Saintfield.  It’s a big deal for our club with entries selling out in the last couple of years.  It takes a fair bit of organising and we appreciate help from all members within the club.

Cross Country / Hill & Dale

We promote and encourage our members to give the local XC and Hill & Dale scene a try.  It’s always great to see a Striders XC team get together.

Social Stride

Taking a break from the run, we aim to head off twice a year or so with members, family and friends, including our waggy-tail pals, for a leisurely social walk in one of our many local parks/beaches with a catch up over a cuppa and picnic after.

Social Climb

Once a year we hope to hoak out the hiking boots and hit the hills for a bit of variety.

Striders Awards

We round up our year by ditching the trainers and getting glammed-up to enjoy an evening out, celebrating all our members.  Trophies are awarded to the Super 8 Series winners, Club Handicap and Naked parkrun winners and there are a range of member’s choice awards too including Most Improved Runner, Off-Road Strider of The Year, Runner of The Year, Spirit of Striders, Volunteer of The Year, Inspirational Strider and Parkrun Legend. 

The updated club calendar is available to view on the club website, member's section.

Managing and organising the bigger club events, like Florida Manor, our Anniversary Race, Awards Night etc is done with the help of sub-committees and we would welcome any member who would like to get involved.