East Down pair retain Christmas Cracker title as record pairings complete the Castlewellan course.

A special report by Bogusboy’s Successor

By 11.45am the function room of Castlewellan GAC was buzzing with excitement as the athletes began to arrive en masse to register for the annual 14k trek around the environs of the market town.  The entry of 192 teams in 2011 was quickly surpassed due to the innovation of online registration, and by 12.45pm a record breaking 292 (exactly 100 above previous year) teams were registered and the atmosphere was beginning to reach a crescendo.  Indeed a high class field had assembled and each of the teams that would finish in the top 7 had at least one international athlete in the pairing, while a current NI track record holder James McIlroy would finish 14^th in his debut over such terrain. Continue reading →

Well done to the 286 teams who completed the race. A big thank you to all the helpers on the day. Full report will be posted soon.

RESULTS (updated 1/1/2013)
PHOTOS (by Paul Duffin)
PHOTOS (by Dave Goddard)

Videos by East Down AC

Final Pre Registration List (in alphabetical order by runner 1)

Online Registration is now closed. If you did not register online and still want to race please download this ENTRY FORM and bring it with you.

Race organiser contact : Marty McVeigh –  07880626654

A preview of the 29^th Christmas Cracker – by Joe McCann
It just keeps getting bigger!

The Christmas Cracker is enjoying a continued renaissance since it was taken over by Newcastle AC and relocated to Castlewellan in the early ‘noughties’ and remains one of the most unique and popular races in the annual ANI calendar.  Last year 191 teams completed the course, a record entry that looks certain to be smashed this year given the ever-increasing popularity of running in the last 12 months. Continue reading →

The Annual Castlewellan Christmas Cracker Pairs Race and Charity Walks will take place on Saturday 29th December 2012.

Online Registration for the race IS NOW OPEN Here and will close on Monday 24th December 2012

Race and Walk Details

No payment is required to register. Payment is due on the day when you pick up your race numbers. All those who register online will be entered in a free prize draw.

Any changes to partners can be made via email.

A record turnout today. Well done everyone! Results and Photos by Dave Goddard. Report to follow soon.

Links to East Down AC Videos
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4 coming soon.

McNeilly and McCrickard are on ‘treble time’
A preview of the 28th Christmas Cracker – by Bogusboy

The Christmas Cracker is enjoying a renaissance since it was taken over by Newcastle AC and relocated to Castlewellan in the early ‘noughties’ and remains one of the most unique and popular races in the annual ANI calendar. Last year 143 teams completed the course. This year the race will be on Tuesday 27th December.

Continue reading →