By ‘Bogboy’
LAST year the headline was the biblical deluge on the day of the race and mud everywhere, this year it was more like autumnal conditions in Castlewellan.
The 2024 Castlewellan Christmas Cracker featured mild temperatures and the course was easier than usual (or so some said), with less field sections but most certainly still plenty of challenge.
Make up your own mind; nine miles and 1,300 feet of climbing – starting at Bann Road Playing Fields, lapping the upper square of the picturesque market town, entering the forest park with the backdrop of the castle and then running downhill through the spring gardens to the lowest point of the forest before climbing through muddy ground at Mount Pleasant Trekking Centre, re-entering the forest and climbing steeply to the highest point at Slievenaslat, then dropping out into the beautiful farmland in the Parish of Leitrim.

From there, it was back on the climb and into the forest again before passing the fifth of the five lakes of the park (Spring Gardens’ Lake, Mitchel’s Pond, the Mountain Lake, Cypress Pond and, of course, the Lake itself).
As the runners headed for home along the lakeside, with over 1,200 feet of climbing in the legs, the sting in the tail was a sudden left hand turn off the lakeside and into the Storm Darragh debris.
Those brave enough to continue had to ensure a steep climb up the hillside on hands and knees to the King’s Chair with, for good measure, the course designer standing laughing at the top. The words on most runners’ lips at that point were, I’m sure, “thanks Aidy ”.
As 1pm approached the anticipation mounted, shorts and vests dominated the scene, reflecting the unseasonably mild conditions.
Alongside the “normal” running attire, there were plenty of participants in fancy dress, which has for decades now been a feature of the race.

THE SHARP END
Last year’s winners, Jarred Martin (Ballydrain Harriers) and Thomas Renshaw (Aldershot Farnham and District), were back to try and retain their title and were again at the front from the start, shadowed by locals Zak Hanna and Patrick McNiff.
McNiff, for his part, rose from his sickbed not wanting to let his partner down and five minutes into the race was questioning the wisdom of his choice but it would be his coming of age moment, as he dug as deep as he has ever done so “not to let his partner down”.
However, it wasn’t going to be enough, as Martin and Renshaw turned the screw and built an unassailable lead to come home in 53:44, nearly two minutes ahead of Hanna and McNiff.
Just over a minute behind them were Martin and Renshaw’s college buddies, Benjy McCartney and Samuel Waite, making up the top three.
In a brilliant eighth place overall, just 42 seconds outside the hour, were Caitlyn Harvey and Noel McNally, winning the “mixed” category only half a minute ahead of second mixed pair in ninth place overall, Sarah and Matthew McNutt.

The first all-female pairing home were Amanda Perry and Denise Logue in 70:06 (who were also first in the W80-99 category), a couple of minutes ahead of Danielle Fegan and Lorna Fitzpatrick (72:06).
The W100-119 category was won by Katherine Moore and Nicola McIntrye in 84:13 and the W120-139 by Glynis Boyle and June McMinn in 85:28.
The mixed category winners were Áine & Paul Gosling (MIX80-99) in 64:59, Pamela Kirk and Joe Conlon (MIX100-119) in 74:09 and Sarah Benton and Norman Mawhinney (MIX120-139) in 78:24.
Honourable mention (if that’s the right phrase to use) goes to Mary Mackin and Brian Todd, who brought home the MIX140+ victory in 89:15.
In the men’s categories, Brendan McQuaid and Neil McGeough won the M80-99 in 62:00 (tenth place overall) in a tight contest, just 30 seconds ahead of 11th place and second M80-99 team Lorcan Vallely and Fearghal Delaney.
Tony Stanley and Paul Blaney won the M100-119 category in 63:15 while regular Hill and Dale and Cracker competitors Davey Allen and Steve Begley won the M120-139 category in 78:19.
In the M140+ category, Terry Eakin took to social media afterwards saying, “It’s crazy what us OAPs have to do nowadays to get our £100 winter fuel allowance! A big thanks to Newcastle AC, my running mate Brian Stewart and all the race volunteers.”
