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.
A record 458 runners turned out, confirming that the Hill & Dale series continues to attract not only new recruits but also those who definitely should know better by now. The buzz at the start line was electric, with equal parts excitement, optimism, and the dawning realisation of what lay ahead.
Up front, Tom Crudgington of Newcastle AC set the pace, taking the win in a sharp 27:25. Johnny Scott of Mourne Runners followed in 29:17, with Andrew Tees of BARF rounding out the top three in 30:36.
In the women’s race, Kate Napier claimed top spot in 35:01, just ahead of Rachael Quinn in 35:09, while Esther Dickson of Newry AC secured third in 35:41—proving there’s very little time for sightseeing at the sharp end.
Of course, no race would be complete without a few memorable moments. Joe McCann, in his noble role as sweeper at the back of the pack, once again proved that navigation is optional but commitment is not—losing his glasses somewhere along the way while still somehow ensuring everyone else made it home safely.
Meanwhile, another sacred Hill & Dale tradition made its annual return: the issuing of the legendary series mugs to “virgin runners.” These were received, as always, with a level of ceremony usually reserved for Olympic medals or small royal honours. Within seconds, recipients were proudly cradling them with the kind of quiet entitlement that suggests they’ve not only completed the race, but possibly helped design the course, marked it, and suffered more than everyone else in the process. Early indications suggest several are now firmly convinced they are not just runners—but Hill & Dale veterans—despite having only just discovered where the start line is.
Huge thanks as always to Joleen and the team at Castlewellan Forest Park for their support, to Life Adventure Centre for the smooth pre-race registration setup, and to the army of volunteers from Newcastle AC who covered everything from admin to marshalling to catching people at the finish line (sometimes literally). And, naturally, thanks to Maginn’s Bar for hosting the all-important post-race analysis—where performances only ever improve as the evening goes on.
All in all, a brilliant start to the series: new route, record numbers, familiar faces, and a fresh crop of mug-bearing converts now fully convinced they’ve been part of this suffering tradition for years. Next up, race two and a return to Tollymore Forest Park… because clearly, one dose of this wasn’t enough.
The first race of the Hill & Dale Series 2026 kicks off
Photos
Photos by Richard Cowan. If you would like to use Richard’s photos feel free to buy him a cuppa to say thanks
Race Results
Race results available on Webscorer: