On Saturday, Newcastle AC hosted the 31st annual Christmas Cracker, attracting over 350 pairs of runners in conditions that were well, wintry. In an event where runners compete in pairs over a variety of terrains for 8½ miles (the course varies annually), it is a good opportunity to show why North Down AC is not an Orienteering Club. The time is taken from that of the 2nd runner and categories are determined by the combined age. Stephen Wylie, running with Edward Cooke of North Belfast Harriers was fastest North Down athlete and they were 7th overall in 57:38 min and 5th in the top male U70 category. First all North Down pair were Ben Caughers and Gareth Watton, 47th in 65:56. Best category results came from Gerry O’Boyle and Jill Aicken who were 4th mixed 90-99 and from Valerie McDonough and Nikki Gardiner (formerly Heywood, congratulations by the way) and they were also 4th in the female 70-79 category.
Full Results: Christmas Cracker 2014 Results
| Pos | No | Time | Runner 1 | Club | Runner 2 | Club | Category | Cat Pos |
| 7 | 136 | 57.38 | Stephen Wylie | NDAC | Edward Cooke | NBH | Male Under 70 | 5 |
| 47 | 121 | 65.56 | Ben Caughers | NDAC | Gareth Watton | NDAC | Male Under 70 | 12 |
| 97 | 233 | 71.39 | Ghislain Demeuldre | WTH | Johnny McGrath | NDAC | Male 90-99 | 15 |
| 132 | 219 | 74.36 | Andrew Muir | NDAC | Eamonn O’Reilly | NDAC | Male 80-89 | 26 |
| 146 | 424 | 75.56 | Gerry O’Boyle | NDAC | Jill Aicken | NDAC | Mixed 90-99 | 4 |
| 178 | 77 | 79.09 | Valerie McDonough | NDAC | Nikki Gardiner | NDAC | Female 70-79 | 4 |
| 208 | 106 | 81.58 | John McGarvey | NDAC | Paul Galloway | NDAC | Male 80-89 | 39 |
| 221 | 35 | 83.07 | Julie-Ann Donahy | NDAC | Jane Stevenson | NDAC | Female ?? | ? |
| 286 | 425 | 91.37 | Chris Stevenson | U/A | Clare Russell | NDAC | Mixed 70-79 | 12 |
| 294 | 16 | 92.58 | Marie Devine | NDAC | Gemma McAnirn | NDAC | Female 80-89 | 11 |