Castlewellan Hill & Dale kicked off the new season in style this year—and, reassuringly, while it may be a new year, there were plenty of the same familiar (slightly older, slightly wiser… debatable) faces back on the start line.
This year’s revamped 4.8-mile route added a fresh twist, taking runners up to the summit of Slieve Na Slat before unleashing them down the Ridge Walk in what can only be described as a fast, slightly reckless bid for the finish. The new layout kept everyone on their toes—some more literally than others—while a few veterans quietly wondered if the old route had actually been “grand” after all. Continue reading
