The Castlewellan Christmas Cracker Pairs Running Event
The Castlewellan Christmas Cracker pairs running event has become a beloved fixture in the local sporting calendar, drawing runners from near and far to celebrate both competition and festive cheer. Established many decades back, this annual race is renowned for its spirited atmosphere and inclusivity, welcoming seasoned athletes and enthusiastic fun runners alike. Its reputation for excellent organisation and memorable moments means places sell out quickly, with this year’s 1,500 entries snapped up in a record 12 hours.
Held on Saturday (27 December), participants were greeted with dry, cold weather and a light breeze, ideal conditions for running. Excitement was palpable as runners gathered at the start, with the event’s unofficial mascot, ‘the Prophet’, declaring after his final course inspection that the ground was the driest ever and that the course could be run in slippers. Once the final cars had cleared the road, the race began promptly at 1pm, setting over 700 teams off on their festive adventure.
The competition at the front was fierce. In the men’s category, Jared Martin and Thomas Renshaw raced to victory for the third year in a row with an impressive time of 48:42. Not far behind were local runners Zak Hanna and Aaron McGrady, while third place went to Samuel Waite and Benjy McCartney.
The first ladies’ team to finish, Tara McDonough and Amelia Tyler, broke the hour mark with a time of 59:19. They were followed by the ever-green duo of Shileen O’Kane and Kate Bradley, with Emily Morris and Cara McDermott securing third. In the mixed teams category, Caitlyn Harvey and Noel McNally led the way with a time of 57:32, chased by Connaire McVeigh and Gladys Ganiel, with Patrick McDaid and Sinéad Farrell rounding out the podium.
With over 700 teams finishing, there were many battles for position throughout the race. A special mention goes to the 140 plus combined aged teams, where Ernest Hall and Brian Stewart completed their run in 345th place, clocking in at 1:26:30 to win their category.
In the ladies’ 140 plus category, Mary Mackin and partner Bernie McGrillen secured the category victory. Not content with one prize, Mary was determined to add a fancy dress award to her haul. Although the head judge’s feedback suggested more effort would be needed next year!
The fancy dress competition reached new heights this year, with judges Marty and Eamon rationing the Prosecco to one bottle per team due to the sheer volume and creativity of entries. After the race, runners, volunteers, and supporters gathered in the community hall for warming soup and rolls, continuing the celebrations with plenty of laughter and storytelling. Thanks to all that made it happen.
The success of the Christmas Cracker relies on the dedication of its volunteers. From meticulous course planning, medal design, and securing permits, to the tireless efforts of over 50 marshals on race day, registration teams across Friday and Saturday, and those managing medals and scanners, every role played a vital part in making the event run smoothly. The commitment of these volunteers ensures that the Christmas Cracker remains a highlight of the festive season, bringing the community together in sport and celebration.
Special thanks to Joleen and the team from the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council that go above and beyond to support Newcastle AC with this event.
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