Castlewellan Christmas Cracker 2025 Report, Results and Photos

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Report by Newcastle AC

The 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. Continue reading →

NAC Goes Metric.

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Bogus boy reports from the Dundrum Road.

A movie character was once asked why a quarter pounder with cheese was called a Royale with Cheese (other burgers and franchises are available!) in Paris. He was told that because of the metric system they would not know what a quarter pounder was (the words in the movie may have been a tad stronger). In a reversal of this, Newcastle AC went ‘old school’ for the annual club handicap and the metric 5k became an imperial 3 miles. Why was this the case – well obviously it was to facilitate the parking of the van in a convenient location and not because the telegraph pole with the yellow sticker could not be located!

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Provisional Calendar 2026

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Provisional calendar for the Hill & Dale Series and Slieve Donard Race:

Date Start Time Event
Thursday 16 April 2026 19:30 Castlewellan
Thursday 23 April 2026 19:30 Tollymore
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:30 Slieve Martin
Thursday 7 May 2026 19:30 Binnian
Thursday 14 May 2026 19:30 Hen & Cock
Thursday 21 May 2026 19:30 Luke’s
Saturday 30 May 2026 11:00  Slieve Donard Race
Thursday 4 June 2026 19:30 Millstone
Thursday 11 June 2026 19:30 Loughshannagh
Thursday 18 June 2026 19:30 Meels
Friday 26 June 2026 19:30 Drinnahilly

Races are subject to permit. Further details, including how to enter, will be available soon.

A plane full of definites – NAC Shine in Lanzarote: Winter Racing in the Sun

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Bogusboy reports from Costa Teguise

Newcastle Athletics Club swapped the winter chill for the Lanzarote sunshine as a determined squad took on the island’s famous endurance festival. When the trip was first mooted there was a lot of enthusiasm. In typical fashion this dissipated quickly with all but the stalwarts fading one by one. The club chairman was a definite to the bitter end until he realised that he had to source a diamond tipped spark plug for the Jag, thus rendering him unavailable. Others could not leave their underlings to manage change and transform lives and so they could not go, though the FOMO was hanging out of them!!!

Newcastle AC in Lanzarote

Newcastle AC in Lanzarote

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National XC Champion 2025

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Massive congratulations to Newcastle AC’s Harry McVeigh who won the U13 National XC Championship in Dublin on Saturday 7 December.

Harry won on the 2,500m course in a time of 08:48 ahead of Philip Griffith (Claremorris AC) 08:56 (2nd) and Donal Devlin 09:00 (Keep ‘Er Lit) (3rd).

Harry McVeigh - U13 Champion with Dad Connaire

Harry McVeigh – U13 Champion with Dad Connaire

Read the race report by Siobhan Grant here: Harry’s all Ireland win

 

Christmas Cracker Medal Reveal 2025

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We’re delighted to unveil the 2025 Christmas Cracker Medal Design—a truly special creation crafted by the talented Newcastle AC Juniors! This year’s young designers produced an incredible range of entries, each one bursting with creativity and festive spirit, making the final choice no easy task.

After reviewing all the entries, Emily Kerr’s standout design was selected as the winner, and she was proudly presented with a Newcastle AC hoodie. Our fantastic runners-up also received club T-shirts in recognition of their brilliant work.

Everyone who completes the course on Saturday 27th December will earn one of these bespoke medals—an unforgettable keepsake from this year’s Christmas Cracker!

Newcastle AC Juniors receiving their prizes

Newcastle AC Juniors presented with prizes for their winning medal designs

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