Run Reports & parkrun Round-ups
British Transplant Games
August 2026
💚 Celebrating Sporting Success & the Power of Transplant 🏊🥇🥈🥉
Big well done to our member Kathryn Glover who recently competed at the British Transplant Games in Sheffield, taking home an impressive haul of medals at Ponds Forge Sports Centre.
🥇 Gold in the 100m Freestyle, where she also recorded a personal best! 🎉
🥈 Silver in the 50m Breaststroke
🥉 Bronze in the 50m Freestyle
Alongside her own fantastic performances, Kathryn also took on the role of Team Manager for Transplant Sport Northern Ireland, helping a highly successful team bring home an incredible 48 medals.🏅
The British Transplant Games are about so much more than competition. They celebrate the incredible difference that organ and stem cell donation can make, while promoting the benefits of sport and an active lifestyle following transplant.
A huge congratulations to Kathryn on her fantastic achievements, and to the whole Transplant Sport Northern Ireland team! 👏💚
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 15 August 2026
💙🧡Weekly parkrun Report - Sat 15 Aug 2026
It was another busy Saturday for the Saintfield Striders, with 90 members taking part across parkruns at home and further afield.
The big focus this week was Orangefield, which hosted the latest fixture in the club’s Super 8 Series. With 55 Striders taking part, there was a fantastic turnout and a great show of club spirit.
The Striders made their presence felt right at the sharp end of the field, with nine of the first 12 finishers overall wearing the Saintfield colours, including an impressive clean sweep of the first four places. Ben McCaughtry led the Striders home, followed by Dylan Brackenridge, Peter Davison and Simon Davey. Andrew Barr, Ryan Warnock, Colin Moore, Brian Swain and Jonathan Kidd also featured in the top 12.
The emphasis, though, was very much on taking part, supporting each other and celebrating achievements. From those pushing at the front to everyone enjoying their Saturday morning parkrun, there were plenty of reasons to be proud of the Striders turnout at Orangefield.
There were also plenty of notable performances elsewhere, with Sara Mitchell finishing eighth overall and first Strider at Belfast Victoria, while members represented the club at Hillsborough Forest, Edinburgh, Edgbaston Reservoir, Glengarriff, Barnstaple, Comber, Lough Head, Bundoran Promenade, Stormont, Montalto Estate, Claudy Country Park, Bay East Garden, Crawfordsburn Country, Wallace parkrun in Lisburn and Letterkenny.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the parkrun happen, and to the Saintfield Striders members who gave their time to volunteer this weekend as well as those who took part. parkrun simply would not happen without the volunteers behind the scenes, and their contribution is hugely appreciated.
Well done to everyone who got out and represented Saintfield Striders this week — whether at Orangefield, at another local event or further afield. 90 members, 17 different parkruns and plenty of Strider spirit. 👏🏃♀️🏃♂️
Slievemartin
Thursday 13 August 2026
🏃♂️⛰️ Striders take on Slieve Martin! 🎽
Five Super Striders - Alan Jordan, Richard Ross, Ryan Warnock, Victoria Kelly and Mark Magorrian - took on the mighty Slieve Martin in Rostrevor on Thursday evening for the rearranged Hill & Dale Race No. 3.
Originally postponed in April due to wildfires, the race finally got underway on a gorgeous evening, with stunning views across Carlingford Lough. 🌅
The conditions were hot and the course was every bit as brutal as expected, with over 500m of climbing in the first 3km, a fantastic run around the summit, followed by a seriously steep descent through the scree slopes! 👀🫣 The final run through the forest and downhill to the finish was a welcome reward.
A brilliant race for a brilliant cause, with all proceeds going towards the purchase of a defibrillator for Carrick Little car park - a much-used area of the Mournes and a vital piece of lifesaving equipment. ❤️
Massive well done to Alan, Richard, Ryan, Victoria and Mark, and to everyone who took on this tough but fantastic race. 💪🏃♀️🏃♂️⛰️
Well done Striders and thanks to Newcastle AC as always 👏
Dambusters
Saturday 8 August 2026
🎽🏃♀️ Dambusters 2026 – Silent Valley 🏃♀️
A great day out at the Born 2 Run Dambusters at Silent Valley, with three of our runners taking on the stunning Mourne course.
🌟 Ruth O’Kane made her Born 2 Run debut, taking on the 10K and getting the job done over a scenic but undulating course. A brilliant first outing at a Born 2 Run event!
💪 Elaine Emo stepped up to the 10-mile distance for the first time, capping off a period of hard training with a fantastic achievement. Taking on a challenging 10 miles around Silent Valley and Ben Crom is no easy feat!
👏 Victoria Kelly also tackled the 10-mile race, putting in a strong performance to secure a respectable Top 25 finish. A great result on what is a tough and hilly course.
A huge well done to all three ladies - Ruth, Elaine and Victoria - representing the club and putting in the effort on the day. 🏃♀️👏
Three runners, two distances, plenty of hard work and some great achievements.
Well done ladies! 💙
As always thanks to the team at Born 2 Run for delivering another great race in a great place 💚🖤👏
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 8 August 2026
💙🧡 parkrun report – Saturday 8 August
Another busy Saturday for the Striders, with 57 members getting out to parkrun across a wide range of events.
A special mention goes to Dylan Brackenridge, who was touring at Ayr parkrun and had an excellent run, finishing second overall in a field of 87. 👏
Closer to home, there were plenty of strong showings, with Ben McCaughtry finishing second at Pomeroy and William Redpath taking third at Castleblayney. Simon Davey was also first Strider home at Comber, finishing sixth overall.
But, as ever, parkrun isn’t just about positions and times. It’s about getting out, taking part and being part of the wider parkrun community – and we had Striders represented at 21 different events, from Belfast and Lisburn to Portrush, Limavady, Bundoran, Ayr and even Endcliffe and Jesmond Dene.
🌟 Milestone congratulations
A huge congratulations to Joan Telford, who yesterday completed her 250th volunteer milestone. That is a fantastic contribution to parkrun and the community, and a brilliant achievement. Thank you, Joan! 👏👏
Well done to everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, supported or simply turned up and enjoyed their parkrun. 57 Striders out there on a Saturday morning – that’s what it’s all about. 💙
Crossgar 10K
Wednesday 5 August 2026
🎽 Crossgar 10K 🏃♂️🏃♀️
It was fantastic to see the return of the Crossgar 10K! With a new route this year, runners still enjoyed the memorable start at the monastery before tackling the familiar rolling hills through the first two-thirds of the course, finishing with a straight run home into the square.
Representing the club were Sara Mitchell, Leanne Smyth, Jacky Hanna, Luisa Givan, Elaine McCaffrey and Steven McMaster, with some brilliant performances all round. A special mention to Luisa, who celebrated a fantastic PB 🔔, and to Sara, who marked a brilliant return to racing with a strong comeback performance ⚡️.
Although missing from the team photo, Elaine also had a fantastic run, smiling all the way to the finish! 😃
A huge thank you to all the volunteers and marshals who encouraged runners throughout the course. It was especially lovely to see so many familiar Striders faces cheering everyone on. Thanks to Team McMaster, Team Millar, Nicola, Jenny, Brian, Sinead, Amanda and Gary for your fantastic support. 🌟
A big thank you as well to Crossgar Harriers for hosting the event, and to the Crossgar community for the warm welcome and fantastic support around the course. It was great to see the race back on the calendar.
Well done everyone! 👏💙
York 10K
Sunday 2 August 2026
🎽 York 10k 🏃♀️
A fantastic performance from our member Ann Wilson at York 10K! 👏
Returning to one of the UK’s biggest and most popular 10K events, with over 6,000 runners taking part, Ann and husband Trevor enjoyed a stunning route past some of York’s most iconic landmarks, including the magnificent York Minster, all under glorious sunshine.
The hard work in training paid off in style, with Ann taking more than a minute off last year’s time to record an impressive course PB of 56:20! 🏅
Congratulations, Ann – a brilliant race! 🎉💙
Run The Trails - Mount Stewart
Saturday 1 August 2026
🎽 Run The Trails Mount Stewart
🏃♀️🌳 A Great Evening at Run the Trails! 🌳🏃♂️
Well done to all our members who took part in Run the Trails, organised by Scrabo Striders, at the beautiful Mount Stewart Estate.
A special congratulations to Victoria Kelly, who produced another fantastic performance to finish as 2nd Female in the 10km race! 🥈👏
Also representing the club were:
🏃♀️ Heather Jackson – 5km
🏃♀️ Jemma Black – 5km
🏃♂️ Neil Black – 10km
The event offered something for everyone, with 5km, 10km and kids’ races, along with plenty of family-friendly activities, making for a brilliant evening of running in a stunning setting.
A big thank you to Scrabo Striders and all the volunteers who helped deliver another fantastic event. Well done everyone! 💙💜
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 1 August 2026
💙🧡 Parkrun Round-Up - Sat 1 August
Another fantastic Saturday morning for Saintfield Striders, with 53 members taking part across 16 different parkruns this weekend. Whether close to home or further afield, it was great to see so many Striders enjoying the weekly 5k.
A special mention goes to Montalto Estate parkrun, which celebrated its 100th event. We had an incredible turnout of 23 Striders, making it our biggest club representation of the weekend. It was brilliant to see so many familiar faces helping to mark this milestone event, both running and volunteering.
Elsewhere, Striders were spotted at Comber, Stormont, Bangor, Belfast Victoria, Queen’s, Orangefield, Wallace, Belvoir Forest, Riverside Ballymoney, Lough Head, Castlerea, Nobles (Isle of Man), York Community Woodland, Clapham Common and even Clermont Waterfront in Florida - proof that wherever there’s a parkrun, you’ll often find a Saintfield Strider!
There were some excellent performances across the board, including Elaine Emo, who was the first female finisher at Lough Head parkrun, and several strong finishes throughout the weekend. As always, though, parkrun is about much more than positions or times. Every walker, jogger and runner who got out on a Saturday morning contributed to another great weekend for the club.
Finally, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who made every one of these events possible. From marshals and timekeepers to barcode scanners, tail walkers and run directors, parkrun simply couldn’t happen without the amazing people who give up their time each week. Your encouragement and dedication are appreciated by everyone. 👏
Ardglass 5 & 10K
Wednesday 29 July 2026
🎽 Ardglass 5K & 10K 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Two of our members made the trip to Ardglass to take part in the Ardglass 5K & 10K, held as part of the Ardglass Festival.
👏 Dawn Bannatyne took on the 5K, while Andy Curran stepped up to the 10K.
The popular summer evening races started and finished at Ardglass Primary School, with runners taking on the rolling roads around the coastal village.
Brilliant to see Dawn and Andy out representing the club and getting some midweek miles in! 💪
Well done to you both, and congratulations to everyone who took part and the organisers and volunteers who did a superb job. 👏🏅
Belfast 24
Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 July 2026
🎽 BELFAST 24 🎽
– WHAT AN EFFORT FROM PAUL! 👏
A massive well done to club member Paul Edgar, who took on the incredible Belfast 24 at Victoria Park.
Paul battled his way through a full 24 hours of running, clocking an outstanding 70 mile by the finish. 💪🏃♂️ That’s 68 loops of Vicky Park!!!
Taking on a 24-hour event is about so much more than the miles. It takes determination, patience and a huge amount of mental and physical strength to keep moving hour after hour, especially when the tiredness really starts to set in.
And efforts like this are rarely a solo achievement. The crew in Paul’s corner were there to help keep him going over the 24hours. A very special mention must go to Paul’s wife Laura, who was there supporting him throughout. Having someone in your corner through the highs, lows and everything in between makes such a difference, and we’re sure Paul appreciated every bit of support.
Thanks to We Run Wild Ni and everyone involved in organising and volunteering at Belfast 24. Events like this take a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, and you gave the runners the opportunity to test themselves in a truly memorable challenge.
70 miles 24 hours. One incredible effort.
Huge congratulations, Paul — some achievement! 👏👏👏
Hillsborough Running Festival
Saturday 25 July 2026
🎽🏰🏃 Hillsborough Castle & Gardens Running Festival 🏃♀️🏰🎽
A brilliant day of running at the Hillsborough Castle & Gardens Running Festival, with five of our runners taking on the 10K and Half Marathon. 👏
🏃 10K
⭐ Cliff McElhinney
⭐ Austin Moore
⭐ David Armitage
⭐ Hannah Moore
🏃 Half Marathon
⭐ Ryan Warnock
A huge well done to Cliff, Austin, David, Hannah and Ryan on completing their races. Fantastic effort from everyone🏅👏
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 25 July 2026
💙🧡 PARKRUN ROUND-UP … 25 JULY 2026
Another Saturday, another impressive spread of Striders across the parkrun map! This week 55 Saintfield Striders pulled on the trainers, representing the club at 22 different parkruns, from familiar favourites close to home to London, Norway and Italy. 🌍
✈️ STRIDERS ON TOUR
There was some serious parkrun tourism this week!
Katrina Godfrey took the Striders vest all the way to Tøyen parkrun in Oslo, while Gemma Magennis represented us at Mura di Lucca parkrun in Italy.
And while Spain might not have parkrun, that wasn’t going to stop Linda Dornan getting her Saturday running fix! Linda took on the Sun Run in Lanzarote instead - a very acceptable sunny substitute for parkrun and another Strider flying the flag overseas! ☀️🏃♀️🌴
London also had plenty of Striders representation. Alison Young joined a whopping 1,573 runners at Bushy parkrun, the birthplace of parkrun, while David Knox visited Highbury Fields and Kelly Millar tackled Hampstead Heath.
Back on the island of Ireland, our touring continued far and wide, with Striders appearing at Castleblayney, Omagh, Enniskillen, Larne, Riverside Ballymoney and the relatively new Pomeroy Forest parkrun🌲
⭐ SATURDAY SHOUT-OUTS
A big contingent descended on Montalto Estate, with 14 Striders among the 132 finishers at event #99. Ben McCaughtry led the Striders home in a brilliant 2nd place overall, with Alan McCaughtry also making the top ten in 9th. Great to see such a big blue turnout on home turf!
At Wallace, Simon Davey was another Strider right at the sharp end, finishing 3rd overall from 239 participants.
There were excellent runs from our ladies too. Leanne Smyth was 2nd female at Riverside Ballymoney, Elaine Emo was 4th female at Enniskillen, and Ann Wilson was 6th female at Omagh. 👏
Elsewhere, William Redpath finished 11th overall at Christie, Ryan Warnock was 19th at Castlewellan, and Colin Moore came home 18th at Orangefield.
But, as ever, parkrun is about much more than positions and times. Whether you were racing, jogging, chatting your way around, exploring somewhere new or simply getting your Saturday morning 5K done, it was fantastic to see the Striders name appearing on results pages near and far.
This week’s Striders could be found at:
Wallace • Highbury Fields • Castlewellan • Orangefield • Castleblayney • Hillsborough Forest • Ormeau • Bushy • Crawfordsburn Country • Stormont • Omagh • Tøyen • Montalto Estate • Pomeroy Forest • Comber • Riverside Ballymoney • Enniskillen • Larne • Hampstead Heath • Christie • Mura di Lucca
That is some Saturday morning footprint! 🌍💙
And, of course, a huge thank you to all the parkrun volunteers who made this week’s events possible. Whether you were marshalling, scanning, timing, handing out tokens, tail walking or helping behind the scenes, Saturday mornings simply wouldn’t happen without you. 👏🦺🩷
Well done to all 55 Striders who took part, plus Linda getting her Saturday run in Lanzarote, and a special cheer for all our tourists carrying the club colours on their travels. ☀️🌍
Same time next Saturday… wonder where the Striders will turn up next? 👀
Portaferry Gala 10 Miler
Tuesday 21 July 2026
🎽 Portaferry Gala 10 Mile Race 🛥️🏃🏃♀️
Well done to club members William Redpath and Sara Mitchell who represented the club at the Portaferry Gala 10 Mile Race.
The course began with a deceptive downhill section towards the harbour before settling into a steady opening half. The second half proved more challenging, with a series of rolling hills that tested runners all the way to the finish.
With excellent running conditions and a fantastic atmosphere throughout, it was another very successful event. A big thank you to the organisers and volunteers for delivering such a well-run race.
Congratulations to William and Sara on their performances and for flying the club colours in Portaferry. 💙🏅
Darragh 10 & 5K
Sunday 19 July 2026
SUPER STRIDING AT DARRAGH CROSS! 🏃♀️
What a fantastic day right on our doorstep! Our squad of Striders headed over to our neighboring hood today to scale the hills and tackle the scorching heat at the Darragh 5k & 10k. You were all absolutely amazing! ☀️💪
🏆 Podium Places & Smashed Targets!
The hills didn't stop some seriously impressive performances today:
Dylan Brackenridge put on a masterclass in pacing, perfectly judging his run to land himself right on the podium with a brilliant 3rd place male finish in the 5k! 🥉
A massive shout-out to Owen (son of our very proud members Cliff and Oonagh). While not officially a Strider, he absolutely flew around the course, smashing a sub-35 minute 10k to take 1st place overall! 🥇 Fresh off his 1st place at Kilclief last week, his heels are officially on fire! 🔥
Massive respect to our 10k legends who conquered the inclines in the heat: Paul Edgar, Gregory Conway, Malcolm McMillan, Jan McMillan, and Heather Jackson!
🧡 Community Spirit & Super Volunteers
A massive thank you to Caroline and the entire organizing team for bringing this fantastic event back to life - their hard work, dedication, and community spirit could be felt every single step of the way around the course and pitch grounds! The post-race setup at the clubhouse was absolutely spot on for some well-earned refreshments. ☕🍰
We also want to say a huge thank you to our own Saintfield Striders members who gave up their time to help out, with a special shout-out to Amanda, Jacky, and Marea-Louise for keeping their cool on ARM duty! ⏱️👏
We already can't wait for next year! 💙
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 18 July 2026
💙🧡 Parkrun Round-Up - Saturday 18 July
STRIDERS ON TOUR & SUPER 8 SATURDAY! 🏃♀️
What a great Saturday morning for Saintfield Striders! We had 71 members out representing the club across the parkrun universe. 🌍
🏆 Club Super 8 Series: Lurgan Park
The big focus of the day was over at Lurgan Park parkrun for the 4th event in our Club Super 8 Series! We had a massive sea of blue shirts taking over the course. Huge shoutouts to all ur members taking part and well done to our leading Striders on the day:
- Ben McCaughtry led the club home with a fantastic 2nd place overall finish! 🥈
- Amanda Jackson was our first female Strider across the line, securing an awesome 4th female spot! 🌟
- Dawn Bannatyne followed closely behind with a brilliant 5th female finish!
✈️ The Ultimate Parkrun Tourists
Our Striders love a road trip, but huge respect has to go to Brian Miskelly for his absolutely epic day trip over to Scotland to take on Drumlanrig Castle parkrun! 🏴 Talk about dedication to the parkrun tourism game!
We also had Striders jet-setting and road-tripping all over the place:
- Alan & Gillian McCaughtry took on Hasenheide parkrun in Berlin! 🇩🇪
- Kelly Millar smashed Burgess parkrun in London! 🇬🇧
- Chris McCaffrey took 1st place overall at Limavady parkrun! 🥇
- Sara Mitchell secured a brilliant 2nd female spot at Dunleath Playing Fields! 🥈
- Malcolm & Jan McMillan repped the club at Dungloe!
Plus brilliant runs from our crew at Ormeau, Stormont, Brickfields, Riverside, Derry City, Montalto, Orangefield, Comber, Portrush, and Wallace!
🧡 Thank You, Volunteers!
As always, none of this Saturday morning magic happens without the incredible high-vis heroes. A massive thank you to all the volunteers at Lurgan Park and every other event who clapped, scanned, and cheered us through! 👏👏
Brilliant effort from absolutely everyone who laced up their trainers this weekend. 💙
Kilclief 5 & 10k
Sunday 12 July 2026
🎽 Kilclief 10k & 5k ☀️
It was another fantastic morning out for Saintfield Striders at Kilclief 10k & 5k. With glorious sunshine, stunning coastal views and a welcome sea breeze, runners were treated to one of the most scenic races on the local calendar.
The route along the Shore Road towards Kilclief and Ballyhornan provided beautiful beach views, while the local support was second to none. A special mention to Erin and her family, whose well-timed ice lollies were a very welcome surprise in the heat! 🍦💙
Despite the warm conditions, our Striders put in some superb performances. Congratulations to Leanne Smyth, who claimed 3rd Female in the 5k, and to Lorraine Sloan, who finished 3rd in her age category in the 10k. Fantastic running from both! 👏🏅
After crossing the finish line, everyone enjoyed the traditional bananas and chocolate, followed by a generous spread of post-race treats and a BBQ - the perfect way to round off a brilliant morning of racing and catching up with friends.
A huge well done to all our runners:
10k
🏃 Ben McCaughtry
🏃 Alan McCaughtry
🏃 William Redpath
🏃 Dawn Bannatyne
🏃 Elaine Emo
🏃 Julie Healy
🏃 Brian Sloan
🏃 Tommy Hanna
🏃 Lorraine Sloan
🏃 Gillian McCaughtry
5k
🏃 Leanne Smyth
🏃 Jemma Black
🏃 Neil Black
Well done everyone! 💙
Rathlin Island Lighthouse Challenge
Saturday 4 July 2026
🎽 Rathlin Island Lighthouse Challenge 🏃♀️🌊
Four Saintfield Striders made the journey across the water yesterday to take on the spectacular Rathlin Island Lighthouse Challenge – a stunning race of around 16 miles on Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island.
After the ferry crossing, Colin Moore, Amanda Jackson, Alan Jordan and Jono Bland tackled the challenging route, which takes runners along rugged coastal roads and trails, passing some of Rathlin’s most breathtaking scenery and iconic lighthouses. While the views were incredible, the rolling terrain and exposed sections ensured it was no easy day out!
A special congratulations goes to Colin Moore and Amanda Jackson, who both produced outstanding performances to finish 1st in their respective age categories – a fantastic achievement on such a demanding course.
Well done to all four Striders for embracing another great running adventure and representing the club at one of Northern Ireland’s most unique races. 👏💙
Many thanks to the organisers for delivering a perfect event.
Social Hike - The Meels
Saturday 4 July 2026
⛰️ Social Hike ‘The Meels’ ⛰️
Running may be what brings many people to Saintfield Striders, but it’s certainly not all we do!
This weekend, our Social Hikers headed into the stunning Mourne Mountains for an unforgettable adventure, taking on the twin peaks of Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg.
Setting off along Trassey Track, the group followed the Mourne Wall to the summit of Slieve Meelmore, where they were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. After a well-earned snack stop and a few photos, it was on to Slieve Meelbeg. Although the cloud rolled in and visibility disappeared, it certainly didn’t dampen spirits or take away from the sense of achievement.
The descent took everyone through boggy trails, alongside rushing streams and into beautiful evergreen woodland before joining the Ulster Way back to the car park. Naturally, the adventure finished the best way possible, with coffee, plenty of laughs, and good company.
The day’s distance? Somewhere around 10km… depending on whether you believe the watch or the phone! 😄⌚📱
A huge thank you to Stuart Smyth for leading the hike and guiding the group throughout the day. Volunteers like Stuart help make these social events possible, and they’re greatly appreciated.
Our social hikes are a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with fellow members, and explore some of the most beautiful places Northern Ireland has to offer. Judging by the conversations over coffee, there are already plenty of ideas for the next adventure… and they might even require packing a tent! ⛺🗺️
There is always something happening at Saintfield Striders, both on and off the road.
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 4 July 2026
💙🧡 Parkrun Round-Up: Sat 4 July 2026
Another Saturday, another fantastic morning of parkrunning for Saintfield Striders, with 53 of our members taking part across 16 different parkrun events.
It was another brilliant weekend for parkrun tourism, with Striders spreading themselves far and wide. The standout destination was the inaugural Ballymount parkrun, where Brian Miskelly was there to experience the very first event. We all know how special inaugural events are. It certainly sounds like a great course and we wish the team in Dublin all the very best with their parkrun.
There was plenty of holiday tourism too. Alison Young finally made it to the beautiful Avondale Forest parkrun in County Wicklow after previous attempts had been thwarted, while Stephen and Kathryn Glover enjoyed a run at Itchen Valley Country parkrun in Hampshire. Ryan Warnock travelled west to Erris parkrun in County Mayo, Damien Ritchie visited Illaunmanagh parkrun, and Sara Mitchell headed to Somerdale Pavilion parkrun near Bristol. It’s always wonderful to see our members taking parkrun adventures with them wherever they go.
Back on home soil there were some excellent performances. Aaron Orr had super run to come in third at Comber parkrun. Simon Davey narrowly missed out on top spot with an excellent second-place finish at Dunleath Playing Fields parkrun, and Ryan Warnock claimed an impressive fifth place at Erris parkrun. Kirsty Harshaw continued her fine form with second female at Montalto Estate, while Sara Mitchell was the sixth female finisher at Somerdale Pavilion.
As always, it wasn’t about the finishing positions or times. Whether chasing a PB, volunteering, exploring a new venue or simply enjoying a walk or jog with friends, every parkrun offers the same warm welcome that makes Saturday mornings so special.
As always, huge thanks to the hi-vis hero’s who make it all possible. We even had a few in Scotland this week.
Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers. 👏
Well done to every Saintfield Strider who represented the club this weekend. Wherever your barcode took you, we hope you enjoyed the adventure, and we look forward to seeing where next Saturday’s parkrun tourism takes us!
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 27 June 2026
💙🧡 parkrun roundup – 27 June 2026 🏃♂️🌍
Another fantastic Saturday morning saw 58 Saintfield Striders taking part across 15 different parkrun events, with members travelling far and wide in pursuit of their weekly 5k fix.
Our tourists ventured as far afield as Hampstead Heath in London and Tramore Valley in Cork, while closer to home Striders were out in force at Belvoir Forest, Stormont, Montalto Estate, Comber, Castlewellan and many more venues across Northern Ireland.
Belvoir Forest proved particularly popular, with sixteen Striders enjoying the beautiful woodland course, while members also represented the club at Claudy Country Park, Pomeroy Forest, Newry Greenway, Portrush, Wallace, Ecos and Dunleath.
This week, however, the biggest celebration belonged not to a runner, but to one of parkrun’s most dedicated volunteers.
A huge congratulations to Joan Telford, who volunteered at Belvoir Forest parkrun yesterday to complete an incredible challenge – volunteering at every single parkrun event in Northern Ireland. This remarkable achievement earns Joan the prestigious “Regionnaire Volunteer” status.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Joan continues to give countless hours to the parkrun community through her role as Event Director at Montalto Estate parkrun. Her dedication, enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to parkrun have inspired so many runners and walkers.
Joan is a fantastic ambassador for both parkrun and Saintfield Striders, and we are immensely grateful for everything she does.
Congratulations Joan on an outstanding achievement – thoroughly deserved! 👏💙
As always thanks to all the volunteers who make parkrun possible.
Community Litter Pick
Friday 26 June 2026
🌟 Giving Back to Our Community 🌟
On Friday night, a group of Saintfield Striders swapped running shoes for litter pickers as we headed out around the town for a community litter pick.
As a club, we are proud to be part of such a wonderful community, and it was great to spend an evening helping to keep Saintfield looking its very best. A huge thank you to the Saintfield Town Greens Committee for providing all the equipment and making the evening possible.
The Town Greens Committee does an incredible job throughout the year, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our town clean, tidy and welcoming for everyone. Their dedication often goes unnoticed, but it is very much appreciated by all who live in and visit Saintfield.
It was lovely for our members to be able to lend a hand and, hopefully, give the committee a well-earned Friday night off! 😊
A big thank you to all of our Striders who volunteered their time and to the Town Greens Committee for everything they do for our community. Together, we can all play our part in keeping Saintfield looking beautiful. 💙💚
#SaintfieldStriders #CommunitySpirit #ProudToBeStriders #KeepingSaintfieldBeautiful #GivingBack
Ards Half Marathon
Friday 26 June 2026
🎽 Ards Half Marathon 🏃♂️
Friday evening saw two Saintfield Striders take on the ever-popular Ards Half Marathon, with Aaron Orr and William Redpath lining up for what proved to be a challenging night’s racing.
Organised by Scrabo Striders, the Ards Half has earned a reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s toughest road half marathons. Starting and finishing at the Ards Blair Mayne Leisure Centre, the route winds through Newtownards and the surrounding countryside, featuring plenty of undulating roads and some testing climbs, including the infamous late-race ascent of Moate Road when tired legs are already feeling the miles. With approximately 230 metres of climbing, it is certainly not a course for the faint-hearted!
As if the hills weren’t enough, runners also had to contend with very warm conditions on the night, making for an even sterner test. Both Aaron and William showed great determination and resilience to conquer the heat and the demanding course, representing Saintfield Striders superbly from start to finish.
A huge thank you goes to Scrabo Striders Running Club, the race organisers, for once again delivering a fantastic event, and to the many volunteers and marshals whose encouragement and support helped runners around every mile of the course. Special thanks also to our own Saintfield Striders volunteers Chrissy, Lorraine, Brian and Dawn, who gave up their Friday evening to support the event and ensure everything ran smoothly.
Well done to everyone who took part in what was truly a night of heat, hills and hard-earned medals! 👏🏅
Hill & Dale Series Finale – Drinnahilly
Thursday 26 June 2026
The ever-popular Hill & Dale Series came to a close on Thursday evening past, with the final race at Drinnahilly, and Saintfield Striders were once again well represented in the Mournes.
The Drinnahilly race, organised by Newcastle AC, is traditionally the concluding event of the series. Although one of the shorter races at approximately 6km, runners still face around 400m of climbing on forest trails and steep firebreaks around Donard Forest, making it a fast but demanding test of strength and speed. The Hill & Dale Series itself is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic off-road competitions, attracting hundreds of runners each year to tackle the rugged beauty of the Mourne Mountains.
Flying the flag for the Striders at Drinnahilly were Victoria Kelly, Alan Jordan and Rab McClenaghan, with all three producing excellent performances on the final night of the series.
Victoria had a superb run, finishing 3rd female overall and claiming 1st place in her age category – a fantastic achievement in such a competitive field and a fitting way to round off her Hill and Dale campaign.
Rab McClenaghan also ran strongly, securing 5th place in his age category on the night. Rab enjoyed an outstanding series overall, finishing 5th in his age category across the entire Hill & Dale Series.
Alan Jordan completed the challenging course to bring home a full Striders contingent and was rewarded for his efforts throughout the summer with a top-25 finish in his age category in the overall series standings.
Although absent from the final race, Mark Magorrian’s consistent performances throughout the series earned him an excellent 22nd place in his age category overall, highlighting the strength of Saintfield Striders across the full Hill & Dale campaign.
Well done to all our runners who took on the hills throughout the summer, and congratulations to Newcastle AC and all the volunteers who once again delivered another outstanding Hill & Dale Series. The series remains a highlight of the local running calendar and a true celebration of mountain running in the Mournes.
Thanks to Richard Cowan for his amazing pictures throughout the series.
2026 Belfast City Women’s 10K
Sunday 21 June 2026
2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Women’s 10K 
Comber 10k
Friday 19 June 2026
Comber 10K 2026
Ben McCaughtry – 39:01 Simon Davey – 40:50 Dylan Brackenridge – 42:46 
First 10K! Aaron Orr – 42:49 Alan McCaughtry – 44:59 William Redpath – 45:22 Elaine Emo – 49:13 Nichola-Jane Weir – 56:21 Robert Davison – 59:58 Stephen Glover – 1:05:55 Gillian McCaughtry – 1:13:38Lisburn 10k & Half Marathon
Wednesday 17 June 2026
🎽 Lisburn Half Marathon & 10k
Saintfield Striders out again, in style, at the Lisburn running festival — one of Northern Ireland’s biggest race nights, known for its fast course and brilliant atmosphere.
🏃♂️10K
Leading the club home in the 10k was Peter Davison who delivered a superb performance, finishing 18th overall with a rapid chip time of 36:33. 👏
Julie Clendinning continued her consistently brilliant form crossing the line in 51:55 while Laura Carson smashed a new PB with an excellent run finishing in 55:04 — fantastic running! 🎉
Also covering the 10k course with strong, steady runs were Austin Moore, Stuart Smyth and Sarah Parkinson. 👏
🏃♀️Half Marathon
Three very strong performances from our half‑marathon crew - Niamh O’Connor, Sara Mitchell and Elaine McCaffrey. Fantastic running.
Well done, Striders! 💙
A brilliant night of racing, PBs, and standout performances. Huge credit to Peter for his top‑20 finish and Laura for her PB — and well done to every Strider who took on the Lisburn challenge.
Thanks to the organiser, volunteers and cheering squads 👏
Florida Manor 2026
Sunday 14 June 2026
💙🎽A Day of Family, Fitness and Fun💙🎽
Saintfield Striders enjoyed a truly unforgettable day today as more than 120 members, families and friends gathered in the stunning grounds of Florida Manor Estate for the club’s annual multi‑distance challenge event. With races ranging from 5k to 10k, a half marathon, 3‑hour and 6‑hour endurance challenges, and a lively relay finale, the day offered something for everyone — runners, walkers, supporters and children alike.
The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly and full of community spirit. Perfect running conditions carried the athletes through the morning, and by afternoon the sunshine broke through, setting the scene for picnics, cheering squads and long‑overdue catch‑ups on the lawns of the estate.
🏆 6‑Hour Challenge
The longest event of the day delivered incredible displays of grit and determination with participants covering repeating 5k loops.
Women’s 6‑Hour Podium
1st – Kirsty Harshaw, completing an astonishing 11 loops 👏
2nd – Debra Jordan (Ballydrain Harriers guest), 10 loops👏
3rd – Jenny Fitzsimmon, 9 loops
Men’s 6‑Hour Podium👏
1st – Paul Edgar, 10 loops👏
2nd – Craig Simpson (Scrabo Striders guest), 9 loops👏
3rd – Jonny Kidd, 8 loops👏
🏆3‑Hour Challenge
Strong performances continued in the shorter endurance event.
First Female – Lusia Givan, 5 loops👏
First Male – Greg Conway, 6 loops👏
🏆Half Marathon
A competitive field produced fast running and tight finishes.
Men’s Half Marathon
1st – Peter Davison👏
2nd – Aaron Orr & Ronan Maguire (joint)👏👏
Women’s Half Marathon
1st – Heather Baron👏
2nd – Dawn Bannatyne👏
3rd – Ann Domican👏
🏆10k
The 10k races saw excellent pacing and strong finishes.
Men’s 10k
1st – Ben McCaughtry👏
2nd – Simon Davey👏
3rd – Andrew Barr👏
Women’s 10k
1st – Victoria Kelly👏
2nd – Elaine Emo👏
3rd – Kathy Gibson👏
🏆5k
A brilliant mix of runners made the 5k a highlight.
Men’s 5k
1st – Dylan Brackenridge👏
2nd – Euan Kelly👏
3rd – Peter Davison👏
Women’s 5k
1st – Sara Mitchell👏
2nd – Gillian Jordan👏
3rd – Leanne Smyth👏
🏆Relay Finale
The day wrapped up with a fun, fast and noisy relay race that had spectators lining the course and cheering every handover.
Winning Relay Team:
Luca Newberry, Alison Young, Aaron Orr and Euan Kelly👏👏👏👏
💙A Celebration of Community
More than anything, the event showcased what makes Saintfield Striders special: families supporting each other, friends running side by side, and a club that values participation every bit as much as performance. From walkers taking on their first loop to seasoned runners chasing personal goals, the spirit of the day was inclusive, energetic and full of joy.
The club extends heartfelt thanks to Florida Manor Estate for hosting us in such beautiful surroundings, to Mabel's coffee Cart for keeping everyone fuelled, St John's Ambulance for being onsite and keeping everyone safe and reassured, and to Brian and Lorraine Sloan, along with the entire event sub‑committee and volunteer team, whose hard work made the day seamless and memorable.
A fantastic day for the Striders — and one that perfectly captured the club’s ethos of fitness, friendship and fun.
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 13 June 2026
💙🧡 Parkrun Round-Up -Saturday 13 June
It was another great Saturday morning for the Striders, with 42 members taking part across 16 different parkruns in Northern Ireland, Ireland, England and even Australia.
👏 Fastest Striders this week:
🏃♂️ Ben McCaughtry – 18:51 at Comber parkrun
🏃♀️ Niamh O’Connor – 22:14 at Derrynoid Forest parkrun
Our most popular destination was Comber parkrun, where 11 Striders lined up to take on the course.
There was plenty of parkrun tourism too, with members visiting Ted Scobie Oval in Australia, Marple and Tilgate in England, and Templemore in Ireland, while many others enjoyed events across Northern Ireland.
A special mention goes to Damien Ritchie, Linda Dornan and Brian Miskelly, who took part at Lower Drummans parkrun, the unique event held within the grounds of Magilligan Prison.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make parkrun happen every week. Your time and enthusiasm ensure thousands of people can enjoy their Saturday morning 5K.
Whether you were chasing a PB, ticking off another tourism venue, volunteering or simply enjoying your Saturday morning 5K, well done to everyone who represented Saintfield Striders this weekend. 👏
Beyond The Wall Triathlon
Saturday 13 June 2026
🎽 Beyond The Wall Triathlon 🏊🚴♂️🏃
Striders Take on Beyond the Wall Triathlon
Congratulations to Striders members Cliff McElhinney and Nicola McGregor, who headed to Castle Ward Estate today, to take on the Beyond the Wall Sprint Triathlon.
Hosted by Down Triathlon Club, the event set against the stunning backdrop of Strangford Lough. Competitors tackled a 750m open-water swim, followed by a 20km rolling bike course through the scenic countryside around Downpatrick, before finishing with a 5km run through the beautiful grounds of the historic Castle Ward Estate.
A special congratulations goes to Nicola, who was competing in her very first triathlon. Taking on all three disciplines is a fantastic achievement and a brilliant way to begin her triathlon journey.
Alongside her was experienced triathlete Cliff McElhinney, who once again produced a strong performance on the challenging course taking 2nd in his age category. Cliff’s experience and encouragement made it a memorable day for both competitors.
Our super supporters Brian, David and Geoff, where there to cheer the competitors on while club stalwarts Oonagh and Bernie gave up their time to support and officiate at the event. Volunteers are the backbone of races like these, and their efforts helped ensure everything ran safely and smoothly for all the competitors.
Congratulations to everyone involved—whether racing or volunteering—excellent effort!
Enniskillen 10k
Saturday 13 June 2026
🎽 Enniskillen 10k
Striders were represented by Elaine Emo and Philip Jordan at this year’s Modern Tyres Enniskillen 10K, with Elaine enjoying a particularly memorable return to her home turf.
Starting beside the iconic Enniskillen Castle, the sold-out race took runners on a scenic but challenging route through the beautiful grounds of Castle Coole before taking on the infamous Ardhowen Hills – a section that has become one of the race’s defining features. With around 1,200 runners on the start line, the atmosphere was electric from the gun to the finish.
For Elaine, this race meant that little bit more. Back running the roads she knows so well, and with plenty of local support along the route, she produced a superb performance to bag a 10K personal best.
Keeping her composure over the testing course before digging deep in the closing kilometres, Elaine crossed the line with a fantastic new PB – proof that sometimes there’s no place quite like home to bring out your best.
Philip Jordan also flew the Striders flag, taking on the challenging Enniskillen course and adding another strong performance in the club colours on a day that showcased one of Northern Ireland’s most popular road races.
Congratulations to both Elaine and Philip on representing club so well, and an extra special well done to Elaine on a brilliant new 10K PB! 👏🏅🖤💚
Co Down 5k
Friday 12 June 2026
Three Saintfield Striders made the short trip to Downpatrick on Friday evening to take on the ever-popular Co Down 5K, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Known as one of Northern Ireland’s fastest and flattest road 5Ks, the town centre course once again attracted a strong field and produced some excellent racing.
Our runners all put in great performances:
🥈 Andrew Barr produced an outstanding run to finish 2nd in the 20–25 minute race.
👏 Andy Curran claimed 5th place in Race 2 with another strong performance.
💪 Neil Black completed the course with determination, proudly representing the club in Race 1.
Well done to all three Saintfield Striders. It was great to see the club represented at another fantastic local event.
Credit to the organisers and marshals for putting on a super night. 👏
Hill & Dale - Loughshannagh
Thursday 11 June 2026
🎽 Hill & Dale - Loughshannagh
Saintfield Striders were represented by Alan Jordan and Rab McClenaghan at Thursday evening’s Slieve Loughshannagh race, the seventh event in this year’s Hill and Dale Series.
Widely regarded as one of the toughest races in the series, the challenging route traverses Carn, Doan, Loughshannagh and Ott before a fast descent to the finish. Recent rain made the rocky terrain and grassy descents particularly slippery, adding another layer of difficulty to an already demanding mountain course.
Despite the testing conditions, both Alan and Rab produced strong performances, negotiating the technical terrain safely and enjoying another memorable evening in the Mournes.
Well done to both runners on representing Saintfield Striders in one of the series’ most demanding races. 💙
Thanks to Newcastle AC for hosting and Richard Cowan for great photos 👏📷
Dromara 5k
Wednesday 10 June 2026
Podium Finish for Peter at Dromara 5K 🥈
Three Saintfield Striders took on the Dromara 5K on Wednesday evening, a popular local race held in support of Cancer Research UK. Set on the rolling roads around Dromara, the undulating course provides a challenging test despite the relatively short distance.
Leading the way was Peter Davison, who produced an outstanding performance to finish 2nd overall in a superb 17:24, earning a well-deserved place on the podium.
Andrew Barr also ran strongly, finishing 35th in 21:44, while Rachel Davison completed another solid run, crossing the line in 66th place in 24:41.
Well done to Peter, Andrew and Rachel on another evening of excellent racing. 👏
Thanks to the organisers and marshals for putting on a great event.
Pedal The Periphery
Friday 5 & Saturday 6 June 2026
Saintfield Cyclists Help Pedal the Periphery for NIPANC Despite Brutal Conditions
A group of of our members traded their trainers for two wheel as they played their part in this year’s Pedal the Periphery of Northern Ireland challenge, raising awareness and support for NIPANC (Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer), a charity dedicated to improving outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients and supporting their families.
The event sees teams of cyclists relay around the perimeter of Northern Ireland, covering hundreds of kilometres over a continuous weekend. Riders face demanding terrain, long hours in the saddle and often unpredictable weather, all in the name of a worthwhile cause.
Among those taking part were Peter Davison, Robert Davison and Malcolm McMillan, who formed part of the seven-man Team Sprocket. Their teammate Chris McCaffrey represented Team Kingsbridge Private Hospital, joining colleagues in support of the fundraising effort.
Peter, Robert and Malcolm began their leg of the challenge in Kesh, cycling through the night and into the early hours as they made their way towards Lisburn. Between them, the trio covered the route successfully, with Peter taking on the notorious Torr Head climb, widely regarded as one of the toughest and most intimidating sections of the entire route due to its steep gradients and exposed coastal roads.
Despite battling what many participants described as brutal weather conditions, including strong winds and persistent rain, the three Saintfield men pressed on and completed their challenge at 3.15am on Sunday morning. Each rider clocked up more than 100 kilometres, a significant achievement given the demanding conditions.
The logistical effort behind the ride was equally impressive. Robert and his wife Denise shared the driving duties, ensuring riders, equipment and supplies were where they needed to be throughout the event.
Meanwhile, Chris McCaffrey completed two substantial legs for Team Kingsbridge Private Hospital. He first cycled 100 miles overnight on Friday, travelling from Newry to Lisnaskea, before returning to the saddle in the early hours of Sunday morning to cover a further 55 miles from Ballygally to Lisburn.
The cyclists’ efforts formed part of a wider fundraising campaign for NIPANC, with participants from across Northern Ireland coming together to support the charity’s work. The challenge once again demonstrated the determination, teamwork and community spirit of those involved, particularly as riders endured some of the toughest weather conditions of the year.
Congratulations to Peter, Robert, Malcolm, Chris and all those who took part in helping make the event another successful fundraiser for NIPANC. Their commitment and endurance will help raise both vital funds and awareness for a cause that affects many families across Northern Ireland.
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 6 June 2026
💙🧡 Parkrun roundup – Saturday 6 June 2026
Another strong turnout from Saintfield Striders this week, with 48 members taking part across 18 different parkrun events. From local favourites to a few tourism destinations further afield, Striders were well represented once again.
The quickest Strider of the day was Ben McCaughtry, who clocked an impressive 19:34 at Ormeau parkrun to finish 10th overall. Our first female Strider home was Julie Clendinning, who was also first female finisher at Lough Head parkrun with a superb time of 24:05.
There were plenty of strong performances across the various venues. At Castlewellan, Ryan Warnock led the Striders home, with David Knox and Sara Mitchell also producing excellent runs. Comber once again attracted a large Saintfield contingent, with Alan McCaughtry, Aaron Orr and Ronan Maguire all finishing inside 24 minutes.
Further afield, Colin and Julie Moore were flying the Saintfield Striders flag at Cowra parkrun in New South Wales, Australia, adding an international parkrun adventure to their growing tourism collection.
Montalto Estate saw another excellent club turnout, with Andrew Barr finishing in the top ten, while Rachel Coulter was third female finisher.
A special congratulations goes to Brian Swain, who completed his 200th parkrun at Claudy Country Park. Reaching the double-century milestone is a fantastic achievement and reflects years of commitment, consistency and Saturday morning dedication. Well done Brian on a memorable landmark run.
Elsewhere, Striders were spotted at Wallace, Stormont, Belfast Victoria, Newry Greenway, Castlebar, Ballina, Paisley Park, Pomeroy Forest and Dunleath Playing Fields, demonstrating once again the club’s enthusiasm for parkrun tourism.
Well done to all 48 Saintfield Striders who represented the club this weekend. Whether chasing PBs, celebrating milestones, touring or simply enjoying the social side of parkrun, every run contributes to the vibrant spirit of our club.
Thanks as always to our wonderful volunteers who make it all possible 🎽👏
Long Woman's Run 5k - Omeath
Friday 5 June 2026
🎽 Long Woman’s 5K Race & Walk – Omeath
Our Strider, William Redpath, took part in the unique Long Woman’s 5K Race & Walk in Omeath, Co. Louth, on Friday and returned with a smile – and a fast time! He was also joined by his family, making it a memorable day out for everyone.
Having spent weeks telling everyone he was entered in Ireland’s only downhill race, he was delighted to discover that the event more than lived up to its reputation.
A field of around 330 participants gathered in Omeath before being transported by bus to the start line near the Long Woman’s Grave high above the village. From there, runners enjoyed a spectacular 4km descent before joining the Greenway for the final kilometre to the finish at Omeath Pier.
Despite attracting over 300 participants, the event retained a friendly local atmosphere, with excellent organisation and a warm welcome for all involved. Participants also received quality event T-shirts, adding to the appeal of the day.
Described as a truly unique race experience, the Long Woman’s 5K is certainly one to consider for anyone looking for a memorable event—or perhaps even a new 5K personal best!
Well done to William for representing the club and enjoying one of Ireland’s most unusual road races.
CS Lewis 5 Mile Challenge
Friday 5 June 2026
🎽 CS Lewis 5 Mile Challenge
Friday Night Racing in East Belfast! 🏃🏃♂️
Six Striders headed to the popular CS Lewis 5 Mile Challenge. Representing the club were Alan McCaughtry, Gillian McCaughtry, Oonagh McElhinney, Ann Wilson, Katrina Godfrey and Joy Whitley, with Catherine Griffith providing fantastic support and capturing the evening on camera. 💙👏📸
The race starts and finishes at CS Lewis Square and follows part of the scenic Connswater Greenway before heading into Victoria Park. The measured five-mile course is a mixed-terrain challenge, featuring a combination of road, trail and grass sections, making it a fast but varied test for runners.
Conditions were ideal for running and the atmosphere was excellent from start to finish.
All six Striders put in strong performances and enjoyed the challenge of the varied surfaces and park loops before making their way back along the Greenway to the finish line. As always, it was great to see club members supporting one another and enjoying another successful evening on the local race calendar.
Many thanks to Victoria Park and Connswater AC for hosting such a well-organised event and to all the volunteers, marshals and supporters who helped make the CS Lewis 5 Mile Challenge another great night of racing.
VHI Women's Mini Marathon 10k
Sunday 31 May 2026
🎽 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon 10K
Last Sunday, our member Rachel Burgoyne, along with her work colleague Tori Drain, took part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon 10K in Dublin, joining an incredible field of 30,000 participants.
Blessed with sunny weather, runners enjoyed a fantastic atmosphere throughout the event. The route was mainly flat, although a challenging hill near the finish provided one final test. Rachel ran strongly from start to finish and was delighted to achieve a new personal best time.
Congratulations to Rachel on a superb performance and a well-deserved PB!
Millstone - Hill and Dale
Thursday 4 June 2026
🎽 Hill & Dale #6 - Millstone
Another tough evening in the Mournes on Thursday saw the Hill & Dales series move to Millstone, one of the most demanding races on the calendar. Starting from Donard Forest, runners faced an 8km course with 500m of climbing, taking them from the shelter of the forest tracks onto the exposed slopes above Newcastle.
Conditions were far from ideal, with heavy rain in the days beforehand leaving the ground sodden and slippery underfoot. Strong winds sweeping across the mountain added to the challenge, making progress on the exposed sections particularly difficult and testing runners’ strength and determination throughout.
Representing the Striders were Mark Magorrian and Rab McClenaghan, who both put in determined performances in the challenging conditions. With every climb made tougher by the headwind and every descent demanding concentration on the wet terrain, it was a night where grit and resilience were just as important as speed.
Millstone is never an easy outing, but this year’s race was a true test of mountain running ability. Well done to Mark and Rab for once again flying the Striders flag and taking on the Mournes at their wild and unforgiving best. Attention now turns to the next round of the series, the Loughshannagh Horseshoe, where another classic Mourne challenge awaits.
Thanks to the hosts Newcastle AC 👏
📸 Photo credit Richard Cowan
Slieve Donard Race
Saturday 30 May 2026
🎽 Slieve Donard Race – 2026
Huge congratulations to Rab McClenaghan, our lone Strider who took on the legendary Slieve Donard Race at the weekend — a seriously tough test and part of both the IMRA Irish Championship and the Uphill League.
The race begins in the heart of Newcastle before launching straight into the steep, lung‑busting climb to the summit of Slieve Donard. From there, runners face a technical, rocky descent to the quarry and a fast finish through the forest trails to the pitches.
Rab not only survived it — he excelled, coming home under 1 hour 30 minutes and taking second in class, just behind Dominic McGreevy of Newcastle AC.
A brilliant achievement on one of the most demanding routes in the Mournes. Well done Rab — Super Strider 💙👏
Cork Half Marathon
Sunday 31 May 2026
🎽 Cork Half Marathon 2026 🏅
A fantastic day in Cork for Lorraine Sloan, Brian Sloan and Dawn Bannatyne taking on the Cork City Half Marathon alongside thousands of runners from across Ireland and beyond.
Starting on Monahan Road and finishing in the heart of the city on Grand Parade, the course took runners through the Marina, Blackrock, The Lough, UCC and Model Farm Road before the final push back into the city centre. With over 80 metres of climbing on the route, those “sneaky hills” definitely made themselves known! 😆
Warm conditions added another challenge, making hydration and pacing even more important, but all three Striders dug deep and got the job done. 💪
As Dawn summed it up perfectly: “Warm day and a few sneaky hills 😆 now to rehydrate.” 💙
Congratulations to Lorraine, Brian and Dawn on a brilliant achievement and for representing the club so well at one of Ireland’s most popular road races. Enjoy the recovery, the medals and the well-earned refreshments! 🏃♀️🏃♂️🏅💙
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 30 May 2026
💙🧡 parkrun roundup – 30 May 2026
Another fantastic Saturday morning for Saintfield Striders, with 53 members representing the club across parkruns throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and even the USA.
A huge congratulations to Jacqui McCarrison, who celebrated a remarkable 350th parkrun at Ormeau. What an incredible milestone and testament to years of commitment to the parkrun community. 👏
Congratulations also to Gillian Jordan, who completed her 100th parkrun at Bangor. Making the occasion even more special, she was joined by her niece Emily who was celebrating her own 50th parkrun milestone. A brilliant family achievement. 🎉
Special recognition goes to Brian Miskelly, who notched up his 350th parkrun at Ards Forest Park. The event also completed a personal challenge for Brian as he has now visited and completed every parkrun in County Donegal on his tours of Ireland. An outstanding achievement. 👏
Across the Atlantic, the Davison family were flying the Saintfield Striders flag in Minnesota at Como Park parkrun, where Peter Davison crossed the line first overall.
At Dunleath Playing Fields parkrun, Jan McMillan and Nicola MacGregor combined their weekly parkrun with a bit of promotion for the upcoming County Down 5K, helping spread the word about what promises to be another great local event.
Further south, Lorraine Sloan, Brian Sloan and Dawn Bannatyne enjoyed a parkrun leg-stretch at Tramore Valley, Cork, as part of their preparations ahead of Sunday’s half marathon. Best of luck to them and everyone else racing this weekend. 🍀
From Castlewellan to Galway, Cork to Donegal, and Minnesota to home soil, it was another great morning showcasing the community spirit that makes Saintfield Striders such a special club.
As May draws to a close, we’d also like to extend a very special thank you to all the volunteers who make parkrun happen week after week. From Run Directors and marshals to timekeepers, barcode scanners and tail walkers, parkrun simply couldn’t take place without your generosity, enthusiasm and commitment. During Volunteer Appreciation Month, we recognise and celebrate every volunteer who gives up their time to help others enjoy their Saturday mornings. Thank you for everything you do. 💙👏
Well done to everyone who walked, jogged, ran, volunteered and supported parkrun this weekend. 🏃♀️🏃♂️💙
Cape Town Marathon
Sunday 25 May 2026
🎽 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
Huge congratulations to our Mairead Andrew on an incredible weekend of racing in South Africa!🏃♀️
Mairead completed the Cape Town Marathon today in a brilliant time of 3:42:11 🏆
Mairead described the race as a real battle, especially after 30km, admitting she maybe went out “too quick as usual” — but showed incredible determination to dig deep and get the job done 💪🥵
The Cape Town Marathon is regarded as one of the most scenic marathon courses in the world, taking runners past Table Mountain, the Atlantic coastline and many of the city’s famous landmarks — but the heat and rolling roads can make it a very challenging test over 26.2 miles ☀️🌊⛰️
In true Mairead style, she picked up TWO medals as she was competing in the Age Group Championships — a fantastic achievement on the international stage 🏅🏅
And as if that wasn’t enough, Mairead also took part in the Cape Town Peace Run 5K earlier in the weekend 👏 The Peace Run is part of the Cape Town Marathon festival programme and celebrates unity and community ahead of marathon day.
A massive well done from everyone at the club — enjoy the celebrations and the recovery, Mairead… your legs have definitely earned a rest now! 😂👏
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 24 May 2026
Another brilliant Saturday morning for Saintfield Striders with 61 members taking part across 18 different parkrun venues right across Northern Ireland and beyond. This week Striders were represented at Montalto Estate, Colin Glen, Comber, Wallace, Claudy Country Park, Riverside Ballymoney, Stormont, Belfast Victoria, Ormeau, Hillsborough Forest, Orangefield, Castlewellan, Queen’s, Dungannon Park, Belvoir Forest, Enniskillen, Portrush, Ards Forest Park and Clonakilty parkruns. From local favourites to some of the newest additions on the parkrun events list, it was fantastic to see Striders out in force once again. 👏
It was also good to see Striders supporting some of the newer parkruns including Ards Forest in Donegal, Claudy Country Park and Riverside Ballymoney. The continued growth of parkrun is brilliant to see; giving us all lots more lovely places to visit and experience. Best of luck to all the new events.
There were some superb performances across the board with Peter Davison taking 1st place at Colin Glen parkrun in 19:03, while Ben McCaughtry produced another strong run with 2nd place at Comber in 18:31. Dylan Brackenridge also had an excellent run at Wallace parkrun finishing in 19:23.👏
Whether chasing PBs, volunteering, touring, catching up with friends or simply enjoying the community spirit, every parkrun counts.
A huge thank you as always to all the volunteers who make these events possible each week. 🦺🙏
Well done to all 61 Striders who took part this week. 💙🎽
Hill & Dale - Luke's Mountain
Thursday 21 May 2026
🎽 Hill and Dale #5 - Luke’s Mountain
Another week and another Hill & Dale race — this week it was Luke’s Mountain! ⛰️
We had 3 Striders flying the flag this week — Peter Davison, Rab McClenaghan and Victoria Kelly.
This race may only be around 7km, but it definitely packs a punch with roughly 450m of climbing across the Mournes. Starting from Meelmore Lodge, runners faced a tough climb up Slievenaglogh before a fast, technical descent across open mountain terrain, dodging bogs, rocks and trying desperately to stay upright!
We had one Strider who took the “full immersion” approach to mountain running and disappeared waist-deep into a bog 😆🫣 we heard how it was “a very refreshing experience” 🥶🥶
A brilliant evening of mountain running with stunning views, tough conditions and plenty of mud — exactly what the Hill & Dale series is all about! 👏⛰️
Well done Striders and thanks to Newcastle AC for hosting.
📷 Photo credit - Richard Cowan. 🙏
Coastal Half Marathon & 10k
Saturday 16 May 2026
🎽 Coastal HM & 10k 🎽
Another fantastic day on the roads for Saintfield Striders at the Born 2 Run Coast Half Marathon & 10K in Killough, Co. Down.
Hosted by the ever-popular Born 2 Run Events team, the race once again delivered on their motto of “Great Races in Great Places”, with runners treated to stunning coastal scenery, views across to the Mourne Mountains and a beautifully organised event from start to finish. Starting in the picturesque village of Killough, the routes took runners along quiet country roads and spectacular coastline stretches towards Rossglass, St John’s Point Lighthouse and Tyrella, with ideal running conditions helping produce some brilliant performances.
There were strong performances across both distances from the Strider gang, with several PB bells ringing loudly throughout the day.
In the Half Marathon, Ben McCaughtry led the way for the club with an excellent 1:28:34, followed by Alan McCaughtry in 1:38:42. Elaine Emo completed her very first half marathon in superb style, finishing in a brilliant PB time of 1:47:33. Dawn Bannatyne finished strongly in 1:48:59 alongside Brian Swain 1:48:11, while Jenny Fitzsimons crossed in 1:55:30 and Julie Healy clocked 1:57:23. Luisa Givan celebrated a PB with an excellent 2:03:42, while Gillian McCaughtry also rang the PB bell with a determined 2:39:54 finish.
In the 10K event, Peter Davison produced an outstanding run to finish 3rd overall on the podium in a rapid 36:46. Catherine Ross ran 1:03:40, closely followed by Oonagh McElhinney in 1:03:39. Christine Smyth finished in 1:05:32 and Catherine Griffith completed the course in 1:07:18.
A huge well done to everyone who took part and represented the club so well. 💙
Another memorable day of racing, great support, beautiful scenery and plenty of smiles along the coast.
Helsinki Half Marathon
Saturday 16 May 2026
🎽Helsinki Half Marathon …..
And Scandinavian Adventures for the Wilsons!!
It’s been a busy few days for our Ann Wilson and hubby Trevor on their latest Nordic adventure. After sneaking in an extra special parkrun in Norway on Thursday, the journey continued east into Finland for this morning’s Tokoinranta parkrun in Helsinki.
That latest stop brings the Wilsons’ impressive parkrun flag tally to 18 different countries — a remarkable milestone and another memorable addition to their growing international parkrun story.
But apparently one event per day simply wasn’t enough.
Just a few hours after completing parkrun, attention turned to the Helsinki City Half Marathon. Pre-race promises suggested a flat and friendly course. Reality, however, had other ideas, with a few “unexpected” hills making themselves known along the way.
Despite the climbing legs, the effort was more than rewarded by a spectacular route through the Finnish capital, helped by glorious sunshine from start to finish. A tough but unforgettable day of running — and another brilliant chapter in the Wilsons’ Scandinavian adventures.
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 16 May 2026
🧡💙 Saintfield Striders parkrun roundup – Saturday 16 May 🏃♀️
Another brilliant morning of parkrunning for Saintfield Striders with 46 members taking part across 10 different events! Slightly less than usual due to the racing going on at the Coast yesterday!!
From Belfast to Dublin, London and even internationally, our Striders were out representing the club 🎽 👏
Special mentions this week to:
🌍 Ann Wilson, who continued her Scandinavian running adventures by taking part in Tokoinranta parkrun in Finland after also completing the Toyen event in Norway earlier in the week
🎉 Alison Young, who celebrated her fantastic 250th parkrun milestone at Shanganagh parkrun – an incredible achievement, congratulations Alison!
🇬🇧 William Redpath, who represented the club at Burgess parkrun in London
👮Brian Muskelly, who made it “inside” for the Progression Run
We also had strong turnouts at Montalto Estate, Comber, Queen’s, Stormont, Hillsborough Forest and Dunleath Playing Fields parkruns.
A huge thank you as always to all the volunteers who make parkrun possible every single week 👏🦺
Well done everyone 🙌
Hill and Dale - The Meels
Thursday 14 May 2026
🎽Hill & Dale - The Meels
Race number 4 in the H&D Series saw our hardy harriers, Victoria Kelly, Peter Davison, Alan Jordan, Rab McClenaghan and Mark Magorrian take on one of the toughest routes in the Mournes - the iconic Meels.
The course packs a serious punch over roughly 7km with around 700m of climbing, heading over Spellack, Meelbeg and Meelmore before the steep descent back through Happy Valley.
We heard how conditions were perfect down low with a lovely calm evening for racing, but the temperature drop on the summit was a different story altogether — extra layers were definitely needed at the top 🥶🤣 The climb was relentless, the descent technical and fast, but everyone dug deep to get round safely and strongly.
The Meels is well known in the Hill & Dale series for its brutal uphill sections and quad-busting finish, and Thursday night lived up to that reputation. Another memorable evening in the Mournes ⛰️
Well done again to Victoria, Peter, Alan, Rab and Mark on completing a seriously challenging race 👏
📷 Credit Richard Cowan
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 9 May 2026
💙🧡 Weekly parkrun Roundup - Saturday 9th May 2026
A brilliant 52 Striders were out enjoying parkrun this weekend across 14 different events—from local favourites like Comber and Montalto to York, Jesmond Dene and even Ards Forest Park in Donegal. A fantastic spread of blue and white.
⭐️Milestones & Headlines of the Week
👏David Knox celebrated his 200th parkrun at Comber, marking the occasion surrounded by clubmates and plenty of Striders support.
👏Pauline Stewart reached her 150th parkrun, celebrating at Stormont with her daughter Chloe — a lovely family milestone.
👏 Ben McCaughtry and Peter Davison delivered a superb Striders 1–2 at Comber.
👏 A huge thank‑you to all the volunteers who made parkrun possible this weekend — including young Cole McMaster, who threw himself into his first volunteering stint with enthusiasm and even treated everyone to some fancy footwork and dancing. Future Run Director energy right there 🤩
⭐️Event Highlights
At Comber, a big Striders turnout created a brilliant atmosphere, with strong running throughout the field and plenty of support for David Knox as he marked his 200th parkrun. The group included a mix of fast finishers, steady runners, and those enjoying the social miles, all contributing to a great morning for the club.
Over at Montalto Estate, nine Striders took on the trails, enjoying the woodland paths and supportive atmosphere. It was a lovely mix of familiar faces and consistent performers making the most of the scenic course.
In Castlewellan, a determined group completed the lakeside loop, with everyone settling into their rhythm and enjoying the calm surroundings. The Striders spirit was strong as always, with plenty of smiles across the finish.
At Stormont, the spotlight was on Pauline Stewart, who celebrated her 150th parkrun alongside her daughter Chloe. Other Striders enjoyed the wide avenues and steady climbs, making it a memorable morning for the group.
Across Hillsborough Forest, Bangor, Orangefield, and Citypark Craigavon, Striders represented the club brilliantly, each event bringing its own mix of steady efforts, supportive running, and personal achievements.
Further afield, members travelled to York, Jesmond Dene, Ards Forest Park, Riverside Ballymoney, and Ormeau, showcasing the club colours far and wide. Whether tackling hilly routes, busy city courses, or scenic forest trails, Striders brought their usual enthusiasm and camaraderie.
💙 A Great Week for the Club
From milestone celebrations to first‑timers, fast finishes to relaxed Saturday miles, it was another brilliant weekend of Striders supporting Striders. Huge congratulations again to David and Pauline, and a big thank‑you to all the volunteers — especially Cole, who brightened the morning with his dancing and enthusiasm.
Run The Runways
Friday 8 May 2026
🎽 Run The Runways 🎽
Another brilliant evening of racing for Saintfield Striders at the Run the Runways with fantastic representation across both the 5k and 10k distances. As part of the club’s Super 8 Series, it was great to see an incredible 39 Striders taking part and supporting the event — with runners enjoying the unique experience of racing up and down the airfield runways!
In the 10k, Chris McCaffrey produced a superb run to finish 2nd overall in a rapid 33:45, while Peter Davison and Ben McCaughtry also secured top-10 finishes with strong performances. Jonathan Bland made it four Striders in the top 10 with another excellent run. Congratulations also to Amanda Jackson, recently transferred from Ballydrain Harriers, who ran brilliantly to finish 3rd female overall in 44:18.
There was strength throughout the field, with Simon Davey, Andrew Barr, Colin Moore, William Redpath, Alan McCaughtry, Steven McMaster, Philip Jordan and David Kean all running strongly on the night. Colin and Alan both showed impressive form in the M60 category, while Brian Sloan and Robert Davison flew the flag in the M65 and M60 categories respectively. Aaron Orr and David Armitage also put in determined performances over the distance.
The ladies also had an excellent night in the 10k. Julie Clendinning led the female Striders home, closely followed by Elaine Emo. Jenny Fitzsimons continued the strong performances, while Zoe McMaster, Jayne Walker, Emma McFarland, Toireasa Orr, Sarah McCarter, Hannah Moore and Gillian McCaughtry all represented the club brilliantly.
In the 5k, Dawn Bannatyne and Leanne Smyth both delivered outstanding performances, breaking the 23:30 mark, while Luisa Givan and Lorraine Sloan continued the strong Striders showing with excellent category performances. There were also determined runs from Catherine Griffith, Kim McCoubrey, Maureen Deacon, Heather Jackson, Sandra Thomas, Christine Gordon, Nicky West and Gillian Johnston.
Great running all round and another fantastic evening representing Saintfield Striders!
Huge thanks to Scrabo Striders Running Club for a fabulous event 👏
Glasswater 5k
Friday 8 May 2026
🎽 Glasswater 5k 🎽
A huge well done to Niamh O’Connor and Dylan Brackenridge who represented the Striders at the Glasswater 5K last Friday night! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
The event, organised by the PTA at Glasswater Primary School, was a fantastic success and a brilliant showcase of local community spirit. From the runners crossing the finish line to the families and supporters cheering everyone on, it sounded like an incredible evening for all involved. 🙌
Well done to everyone who took part, volunteered, and supported the event! 💙🏅
Hill & Dale - Binnian
Thursday 7 May 2026
🎽 Hill & Dale Series Race 3 - Binnian
We had 3 - Alan Jordan, Mark Magorrian and Rab McClenaghan, flying the flag for Saintfield Striders on the mighty Slieve Binnian last night ⛰️
Starting from Carrick Little, the route wasted no time heading onto steep mountain tracks, rough rocky ground and open hillside before the tough climb to the summit of Binnian. With thick mist hanging over the Mournes and the granite tors only appearing out of the cloud near the top, conditions added to the challenge 🌫️
Thankfully the rain stayed off after threatening at the start line, although there wasn’t much of a view from the summit this year! A proper Hill & Dale test of climbing legs, nerve and mountain grit 💪
Another race ticked off in the series — well done lads! 💙
📷 credit Richard Cowan
Marathon des Sables
27-30 April 2026
🎽Marathon des Sables, Namibia
Huge congratulations to our unreal ultra man, Ryan Warnock, on completing the incredible Marathon des Sables — one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges.
Over four brutal stages over 4 days, he covered an astonishing 107km through the ancient deserts of Dorob National Park and Namib-Naukluft National Park:
• Stage 1 – 25.5km
• Stage 2 – 21.46km
• Stage 3 – 36.62km
• Stage 4 – 23.83km
This was far more than “just” a marathon. Competitors battled endless towering sand dunes, deep soft sand, searing daytime heat and the physical exhaustion that comes from running day after day in one of the oldest and harshest deserts on Earth. The Namib Desert is famous for its immense red dunes, some among the tallest on the planet, and conditions where fog from the Atlantic is often more common than rainfall.
Adding to the adventure, runners slept outdoors in bivouac bags beneath the desert sky during the event’s famous “Star Night” stage — a true test of endurance, resilience and self-sufficiency.
And then came an unforgettable moment: despite some areas of the Namib seeing virtually no rainfall for decades, rain fell on the final night — a rare and magical ending to an extraordinary challenge.
To complete this event requires not only physical toughness, but determination, grit and mental strength in extreme conditions. Everyone at the club is hugely proud of this remarkable achievement.
What an adventure — and what a story to tell for years to come. 👏🏃♂️🌍. Congratulations Ryan!
Belfast City Marathon & Relay
Sunday 3 May 2026
Belfast City Marathon & Relay 
Seven Striders proudly took on the full marathon challenge: Richard Kerr, Simon Davey, Steven McMaster, Philip Jordan, Oonagh McElhinney, Laura Carson and Jonny Kidd. Each of them showed tremendous determination, powering round the 26.2-mile course — the reward for all the hard training miles, early mornings and dedication put in over recent months.
Dublin City Half Marathon
Sunday 3 May 2026
Dublin Half Marathon A superb effort and a great result for Rachel.
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 2 May 2026
Parkrun Round‑Up 2 May 2026Another brilliant Saturday for the club, with 64 Striders taking on 20 different parkrun events across NI, Ireland, Scotland — and even Namibia! 
Our fastest feet yesterday belonged to Ben McCaughtry who placed 9th overall at Citypark and Dawn Bannatyne who was first female in Comber.
Where we ran:
And a big cheer for the touring group of Striders who travelled up to Ballymoney to sample NI’s newest event at Riverside — great to see the blue vests supporting a brand‑new course! Well done everyone — whether you PB’d, paced, volunteered or simply enjoyed the miles.London Marathon 2026
Sunday 26 April 2026
Huge congratulations to our two ladies, Catherine Griffith and Elaine McCaffrey, who took on the London Marathon today in their marathon debuts — and absolutely smashed it! 👏🏅
All the hard work, dedication, and countless training miles paid off as both ladies aced the race on the iconic London course, cheered on by incredible crowds and an unforgettable atmosphere from start to finish, alongside a record field of more than 59,000 runners.
Back home, everyone in the club was glued to the TV all morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girls as they took on one of the biggest stages in marathon running.
A fantastic achievement and a day to remember. You should both be incredibly proud 💪🎉
Madrid Rock & Roll Half Marathon
Sunday 26 April 2026
Striders on Tour in Madrid 
Our runners in Madrid were Leanne Smyth and Jacqueline Hanna, who took on the Half Marathon at the Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid.
With the Spanish sunshine and warm temperatures, the plan was to keep it safe and steady — and the two ladies did just that, enjoying every step of the stunning 21km route through the streets and neighbourhoods of Madrid. Along the way they were treated to endless live rock band entertainment, fantastic crowd support, and an electric atmosphere from start to finish 
They crossed the line all smiles, collecting a stunning medal, plenty of goodies, and of course the classic post-race banana!
With over 47,000 participants across the 10k, Half Marathon and Full Marathon, the event was praised for its seamless organisation from sign-up to start line, with brilliant support for every wave and every ability.
#RNRMadrid
Parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 25 April 2026
Another fantastic Saturday morning for Saintfield Striders, with 81 members taking part across 13 different parkrun venues. Whether racing hard, touring new courses or enjoying a social start to the weekend, Striders were once again out in force.
Super 8 Series Begins at Montalto
The biggest turnout of the day came at Montalto Estate parkrun, where an incredible 61 Striders lined up as the club officially kicked off the 2026 Super 8 Series in style.
The opening event of the competition produced a brilliant atmosphere and some excellent performances, with Striders dominating the results from front to back.
Leading the way was Peter Davison, who took 1st place overall in 19:10, followed by Ben McCaughtry in 2nd place with 19:59.
First Striders female home was Kirsty Harshaw with a superb 23:53.
Double Victory Delight
It was a winning weekend for the club, with two overall first-place finishes:
* Peter Davison – 1st at Montalto Estate (19:10)
* Dylan Brackenridge – 1st at Wallace Lisburn (19:24)
Tourism Stories
A few standout touring achievements this week:
Ann Wilson ticked off another USA parkrun while enjoying a more relaxing spell in Cape Cod, no doubt well earned after the excitement of the Boston Marathon.Ryan Warnock added a South African flag to the collection at Green Point as he preps for his upcoming epic African challenge.Brian Miskelly kept on trucking with his Irish tourism mission, completing the set of all 9 County Galway parkruns with his visit to Oughterard. A tremendous achievement.
Club Colours Everywhere
Saintfield Striders were represented at:
*Comber *Montalto Estate *Crawfordsburn *Ormeau *Oughterard *Dunleath Playing Fields *Old Town House Park *Orangefield *Castlewellan *Belfast Victoria *Green Point *Wallace Lisburn *Pontefract
From Super 8 points chasing at Montalto, to tourism milestones across Ireland, Wales, America and South Africa, it was super morning for Saintfield Striders.
Well done to every member who took part and huge thank you to the volunteers who make it all possible.
Same time next Saturday! 
Hill & Dale Race 2 - Tollymore
Thursday 24 April 2026
🎽Hill & Dale #2 - Tollymore
A beautiful evening at Tollymore Forest Park for our Super Seven Hill & Dale Striders as they took on the second race in the series 🌄🏃♂️🏃♀️ Conditions were ideal and the scenic setting provided the perfect backdrop for a tough but enjoyable evening of racing.
Well done to all our runners Mark, Richard, Robert, Alan, Victoria, Rab and Peter on some strong performances across the course, with great effort shown from start to finish 💪👏
Special congratulations to Peter Davison who finished an excellent 15th overall, and to Victoria Kelly who was a fantastic 5th female home 🏅🔥
A big shout out as well to the birthday boy, Alan Jordan — a great way to celebrate with a Hill & Dale run 🎉🎂
A huge thank you to Newcastle AC for hosting another superb event!
Well done everyone, a great evening’s racing 🙌
A Special parkrun Invite
Saturday 18 April 2026
💙 A SPECIAL PARKRUN INVITE 🧡
Saintfield Striders are incredibly proud of one of our members, Joan Telford, invited to serve as Run Director at Lower Drummans parkrun within HMP Magilligan on Saturday— a truly special honour and a memorable milestone in her parkrun journey.
Joan said “It was an inspiring experience and a powerful reminder of the positive impact parkrun can have in every community. The dedication shown by the prison staff in facilitating parkrun within the custodial environment deserves real recognition. Their support helps promote health and wellbeing, reduce stress, encourage personal responsibility, and provide a constructive outlet for participants.
Their efforts reflect compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to rehabilitation through wellbeing.
A huge thank you and massive respect to Deputy Governor Alan and Colin for their support and leadership.”
Joan is currently working her way around all the parkruns in NI as a volunteer. Thanks to Joan for all she does - a brilliant ambassador for parkrun!
Joan was joined by her sister Elaine and fellow club members Gabe and Brian for the occasion.
parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 18 April 2026
A brilliant turnout this weekend with 63 Striders taking part across 17 different parkrun locations — from the delightful Cherryblossom of Comber to Castlewellan and Mallow to Massachusetts. Whether chasing PBs, pacing friends, enjoying a sunny walk, jog, run, or volunteering, our members represented the club brilliantly.
👏 Top 3 finishes: Ben McCaughtry – 2nd place at Comber with a smashing PB! Peter Davison – 3rd place at Montalto Estate.
👏 Strong female performances: Niamh O’Connor – 5th female at Comber. Dawn Bannatyne – 6th female at Hillsborough. Elaine Emo – 7th female at Stormont.
📍 Where the Striders Ran
Striders were out across a wide range of parkrun locations this week, with the biggest groups appearing at Comber, Montalto Estate, Stormont and Wallace. Others took on the trails at Hillsborough Forest, the lakeside paths of Castlewellan and Citypark, and the urban routes at Queen’s, Ormeau, Bangor and Orangefield. Additionally Striders ran at Dunleath, Lower Drummans, Lough Head and Portrush, with representation further afield at Mallow Castle in Ireland. One Strider — Ann Wilson — ticked off another USA event, completing Danehy Park parkrun while in Boston supporting her husband Trevor's marathon run.
💙 From podium finishes to first‑timers, from speedy sprints to steady social miles, every Strider contributed to another fantastic Saturday morning.
🙏 Huge thank you to all the volunteers who make parkrun possible
Hill & Dale - Castlewellan
Thursday 16 April 2026
Five Saintfield Striders – Rab McClenaghan, Mark Magorrian, Alan Jordan, Richard Ross and Victoria Kelly – took part in the first race of the 2026 Hill & Dale Series at Castlewellan Forest Park.
It was a busy event with nearly 500 participants taking on the course through the forest trails. The climb up to Slievenaslat was, reportedly, as gruelling as ever, but the downhill run to the finish by the lake, apparently, made it all worthwhile 😅💪
Well done everyone on a great night’s racing! 👏
Maratón Las Galletas – Tenerife
Sunday 12 April 2026
Saintfield Striders were proudly represented at the Maratón Las Galletas this weekend, with Mairead Andrew taking on the half marathon in seriously testing conditions.
Mairead delivered a superb performance, finishing in 1:46:50 to claim 2nd place in the F55 category and an impressive 13th female overall. The course is known for its gruelling hills and relentless heat, but she handled both with trademark grit and composure.
A brilliant international result and a fantastic showing for the club.
Zoo 5k
Sunday 12 April 2026
Two of our Striders took on the brilliantly quirky Zoo 5K, set in the unique (and famously hilly) grounds of Belfast Zoo.
Catherine Ross made a strong return to racing, choosing a seriously tough course for her comeback run and tackling those climbs with real determination. Julie Clendinning continued her impressive recent form, powering through the gradients and enjoying another excellent performance.
Anyone who’s walked those hills knows they’re no joke, never mind running them, but the atmosphere was fantastic and Monkstown Spartans delivered a superbly organised event with great support throughout.
A brilliant morning out for both ladies and a great showing for the club.
Social Stride - Delamont Country Park
Sunday 12 April 2026
Saintfield Striders dialled back the race-pace and opted for a nice Social Stride around Delamont Country Park, taking in the delightful sights, sounds and shores of Strangford Lough. Picnics enjoy – pups and all!
Larne AC Coast Road 10 Miler
Saturday 11 April 2026
A big well done to David Knox, our sole Strider taking on the Larne AC Coast Road 10 Miler. It was his first time tackling the event, and he delivered a strong debut performance, crossing the line in 76:27.
The famous Coast Road might be flat, but it’s certainly no easy ride — exposed stretches and long straights make it a real test of grit. David handled it brilliantly and came away with a performance to be proud of.
A huge thank‑you to Larne AC for hosting another fantastic event and looking after all the runners so well.
Great work, David — superb running and great representation for the club.
Endurance Life Causeway Coastal
Saturday 11 April 2026
David Kean took on the Endurance Life Causeway Coastal (20.4 miles) on Saturday, finishing in a solid 4:18. His third time tackling the course, showing great resilience to get it done despite carrying a niggly calf injury.
The stunning coastal scenery and fantastic atmosphere once again made it a memorable day. Conditions were tough—freezing at the start, very windy throughout, and even a bit of windburn by the finish!
A strong and determined effort - well done David 👏
parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 11 April 2026
A brilliant 61 Striders were out across Ireland this weekend, covering 14 different parkrun locations and delivering everything from PB breakthroughs to cross‑country adventures.
🔥 Malcolm smashes the sub‑24 barrier!
At Belfast Victoria, Malcolm McMillan delivered the standout performance of the week, clocking 23:51 — his first ever sub‑24 parkrun. A superb milestone on one of the fastest (but deceptively tough) courses around. Huge congratulations, Malcolm!
🗺️ Brian’s All‑Ireland parkrun quest rolls on!
Brian Miskelly continued his mission to tick off every Irish parkrun, this week travelling to Donegal for Falcarragh parkrun. He completed the scenic coastal course, adding another stamp to his growing parkrun passport.
📍 Where Striders Ran This Week
Striders were out in force across the country this weekend, with a strong turnout at Montalto Estate for their second birthday celebration and solid representation at Comber, Dunleath, Ormeau, Victoria Park, Stormont, Queen’s, Hillsborough Forest, Orangefield, Castlewellan, Portrush and Wallace. Further afield, we had members at two Donegal events — Falcarragh and Dungloe — showcasing everything from home‑course consistency to adventurous parkrun tourism.
Well done Striders! 🎽
Huge thanks to all the fantastic volunteers who make parkrun possible. 🙏👏🩷
parkrun Round-Up
Saturday 4 April 2026
Storm Dave didn't deter our Striders on Saturday as we had 62 Striders running at 27 parkruns!
Top Performances
- Ali Moore – 1st overall at Montalto
- James Moore – 1st overall at Dungloe
- Ben McCaughtry - 1st overall at Lough Head
- Victoria Kelly – 1st female at Hillsborough Forest
- Elaine Emo – 1st female at Enniskillen
- Kirsty Harshaw – 1st female at Falcarragh
Milestones
- Violet Spence celebrated her 200th parkrun
- Kathryn Glover hit the 100 parkrun milestone
Two fantastic achievements — well done both!
Where We Ran
A big weekend of tourism this week with Saintfield Striders out in force across Hillsborough Forest, Bangor, Lough Head, Wallace (Lisburn), Montalto Estate, Newry Greenway, Knocknacarra, Comber, Dungloe, Carlow Town, Stormont, Belvoir Forest, Belfast Victoria, Castlewellan, Derry City, Bundoran Promenade, Haverfordwest, Queen’s (Belfast), Vandeleur, Castleblayney, Enniskillen, Ormeau, Falcarragh, Portrush, and Orangefield, covering an impressive spread across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and even Wales.
Thank You, Volunteers
A huge thank‑you to all the volunteers who made every event possible. Special shout‑out to Joan Telford, who continued her brilliant “voluntour” by volunteering at Limavady parkrun this week — flying the Striders flag in style.
Ballyliffin Coastal Challenge
Saturday 4 April 2026
Lesley Edgar (left) along with runniing buddy Sandra at the Ballyliffin Coastal Challenge on Saturday
Huge congratulations to Lesley Edgar, who completed the 7‑mile Ballyliffin Coastal Challenge yesterday — a spectacular but notoriously tough route made even more dramatic by the full force of Storm Dave.
With roaring winds, rain, and wild coastal conditions, Lesley powered along beaches, dunes and cliff paths with incredible determination. It was a day when many runners stayed home, but she showed true Striders spirit by taking it on and finishing strong.
A brilliant achievement in epic weather. Well done, Lesley
Fundraising Through 2025-26!
Tuesday 31 March 2026
🎉Huge THANK YOU Striders 🎽🙏
We’re delighted to share that, over the past year, our amazing members and supporters helped us raise £2,078 for Dementia NI, our chosen charity for the year 2025-26. The cheque was presented to the charity after training on Tuesday 31st March.
This fantastic total came from donations at our Anniversary Race, along with contributions from ballots and our quiz night. Every pound was raised through kindness, community spirit, and a whole lot of Strider enthusiasm.
Dementia NI do incredible work supporting people across Northern Ireland who are living with dementia, and we’re proud to play a small part in helping them continue that mission. 💙
A massive thank you to everyone who donated, attended events, bought ballots, or helped along the way. Your support truly makes a difference.
Here’s to another year of running, community, and giving back. 🩵💜❤️🧡💙
Berlin Half Marathon
Sunday 29 March 2026
Two Saintfield Striders took on the world‑class Berlin Half Marathon this weekend, earning another stamp in the SuperHalfs passport and soaking up the incredible atmosphere of one of Europe’s most iconic races. With perfect conditions and great support along the route, the ladies delivered brilliant performances.
Katrina Godfrey continues her strong run of form, pacing the Berlin course with determination and finishing in 02:34:14. Another superb international outing and a memorable day shared with family.
Ann Wilson had a standout day in the German capital, powering to a new PB of 02:04:47. A fantastic achievement on such a big stage and a well‑earned reward for her consistency and hard work.
Omagh Half Marathon
Sunday 29 March 2026
It was a wet and cool start in Omagh this morning, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of our brilliant Saintfield Striders crew. The route was fantastic as always, and our runners embraced every mile with trademark determination and good humour.
We had a superb turnout, with strong performances right across the field:
Alan McCaughtry – 1:38:42, Brian Swain – 1:41:09, Ben McCaughtry – 1:41:22, Gregory Conway – 1:45:59, Jenny Fitzsimons – 1:51:47, Julie Healy – 1:55:27 – PB!, Philip Jordan – 1:57:30, Zoe McMaster – 2:12:24, Laura Carson – 2:14:37, Joy Whitley – 2:19:55 – First Half Marathon!, Stephen Glover – 2:38:46, Gillian McCaughtry – 2:42:46
A special shout‑out to Joy Whitley, who completed her first ever half marathon – an incredible milestone. And huge congratulations to Julie Healy on a fantastic PB on a challenging day.
Brilliant running from everyone who made the trip.
Prague Half Marathon
Saturday 28 March 2026
We had four members travel to the beautiful city of Prague to take part in the iconic Prague Half Marathon on Saturday:
Dawn Bannatyne 1:48:55
Brian Sloan 2:02:21
Ann Strain 2:06:51
Lorraine Sloan 2:07:05
The race held special significance for Lorraine and Brian Sloan, as this marked their final event in the SuperHalfs series—a remarkable achievement and a testament to their dedication, consistency, and passion for running. Completing the series is no small feat, and the club is incredibly proud of their accomplishment.
Congratulations to all four runners on representing Saintfield Striders so well on an international stage!
parkrun Round-up
Saturday 28 March 2026
A brilliant morning for the Striders with 67 members taking part across 18 parkruns — huge energy, great performances, and fantastic support throughout the club.
🌟 Highlights
Ali & Ross Moore delivered a superb 1st and 2nd finish at Buncrana, crossing the line together in 20:05. Was it a sibling sprint at the end?!
Top‑10 finishes for Ben McCaughtry (2nd Comber, 18:46), Peter Davison (Bangor, 20:00), Eoin McClelland (Hillsborough, 21:16) and Barry Green (Dunleath, 24:44). Elaine Emo claimed 3rd female at Comber with a strong 23:43.
🌍 Striders Far & Wide
Special shout‑out to Ann Wilson and Trevor, who added a 200‑mile round trip to get her parkrun fix at Ziegelwiese, Germany, while over for the Berlin Half Marathon. That’s dedication.
Great to see Caroline Kearney enjoying her parkrun on the stunning Donegal coastline at Narin Beach and Alan Jordan flying the flag in Liverpool.
🟩 Community Spirit
Comber was buzzing as our C25K runners crossed the line. Huge well done to every graduate and to the clubmates who made it such a supportive milestone.
Another Saturday full of running, encouragement, and Strider spirit.
As always huge thank you to the volunteers that make it all possible.
Couch to 5k Graduation at Comber parkrun
Saturday 28 March 2026
What a brilliant morning at Comber parkrun as our latest Couch to 5K group officially graduated! 🎉🏃♀️🏃♂️
The morning provided a bit of a mixed bag of weather—a sharp shower just before the start to beautiful blue skies during the run—nothing could dampen the spirit and determination of this fantastic group. You should all be so proud of what you’ve achieved! 👏
A huge thank you to our amazing coaches for their dedication, encouragement, and support every step of the way—you made this journey possible. 💙
And to all our members who came along to cheer on the graduates, thank you for creating such a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. It truly means a lot. We also enjoyed some well-earned tea, coffee, and cake afterwards ☕🍰—the perfect way to celebrate!
A big thank you to Comber parkrun for the warm hospitality and for hosting such a special milestone for our group.
Well done again to all our graduates—you smashed it 💪👏