Report by Siobhán Grant
The rain fell fast and the wind blew wild, I’m not scared said all the runners packed into the High School at the start of the Cracker.
But the reality was, no one knew what lay ahead so there was every reason to be scared. Especially after record breaking rainfall in the hours leading up to the start of the race. Continue reading
Christmas Cracker 2023 by Rory Morrow
As the rains battered Castlewellan early on the morning of 29 December, it is alleged that the Prophet was battering the doors of Shilliday’s looking to procure a large consignment of timber, a few hammers and a big bag of nails. Fearful that the rains which were now reaching biblical proportions were not going to abate and he would have to reinvent himself as Noah, the Prophet was taking no chances. Francie and Hen were told to get the utility belts and Snickers trousers on and be on standby for a big job. Thankfully, as the undeterred masses waded through the flooded roads to reach the market town, the rains miraculously stopped and the skies turned a kinder shade. Plans to build the Ark were returned to the contingency folder and normal service resumed. Continue reading
Results to the Christmas Cracker 2023 are available here:
Christmas Cracker Results 2023
Selection of photos:
Laurence McAlinden has shared some excellent photos from previous Christmas Crackers in advance of the race on Saturday:
This year’s Castlewellan Christmas Cracker will be held Saturday 30 December 2023. 1pm start.
Online Registration will open on Monday 25th September 2023 at 18:00.
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Further information and to enter online:
Christmas Cracker Medal 2023
This year all finishers will receive a medal. The medal was designed by students at Shimna Integrated College.
Soup and rolls are available in the hall after the race for all participants!
Cash prizes for first three teams, Men, Women & Mixed.
Cash prize for first team outside top three in following age categories (combined age on day of race): 80 -99, 100-119, 120-139 and 140+ Men, Women & Mixed.
Spot prizes for best fancy dress.
Castlewellan Christmas Cracker 2023 by Bogusboy
The annual Castlewellan Christmas Cracker has become part of the lexicon of athletes and occasional runners across Northern Ireland and is now as much a part of the festive season as turkey, mince pies and the visit of the big fella with the red suit and the white beard. The enthusiasm generated by the event is evident in the quick sale of the 750 places available for teams of two soon after they were released in October. Invariably, situations change and teams are changed as illness, injury or other commitments take priority. Notwithstanding these vagaries of life, the market town was awash with colour as the minutes counted down to Uncle Frank’s whistle to set the masses on their way. 651 teams completed the course and the positive feedback testified to the hard work that had made the event happen.
Last year’s mantra was stun ‘the legs and play with the mind’ and we were left to wonder what tagline would characterise the 2023 version. In the end it was declared that ‘keep them wondering and bite hard at the end’ was an apposite summary for what unfolded. Phrases like ‘Jimmy King’s ground is under 2 feet of water’ did little to assuage the fears of the small number of those with a glimmer of an idea as to where the course would potentially go. Continue reading