Billed as an 8.5 mile race on roads, fields and forest tracks around Castlewellan the annual festive race attracted 651 finishing pairs from the prescribed limit of 750.
Many North Down runners were evident around the course, some in fancy dress, Paula Simpson and Joanne Kelly deserved winners of the fancy dress award.
Clair Quigley and Fiona McQuillan finished 79th overall, were second ladies overall and first in their age category. Also making the podium were June McMinn and Glynis Boyle who won their age group.
Mark Carberry was first club member home, running with Tom Williamson from Down triathlon club, in 20th spot, covering the ground in 1:07:29. Images of the 118 men spring to mind. Ben Acheson and Ethan Isles ran well to finish in 26th place on 1:09:03.
Jack Russell and Alasdair Mair claimed 43rd position in 1:11:55 before Chris Downey coaxed his partner David Massey up the many hills to complete in 58th, 1:14:39.
Colin Walker and Tom Agnew 107th 1:20:09
Kevin Mulligan and Philip Mulligan 115th 1:21:27
Sarah Gibson and Les Wilkinson 137th 1:23:13
Philip McDonough and Sean Nickell 150th 1:24:57
Andrew Muir and Eamonn O’Reilly 151st 1:24:59
Dean Varley and Darren Edgar 165th 1:26:05
Valerie McDonough and Tara McDonough 166th 1:26:12
Helen Byers and Nick Anderson 171st 1:26:31
Stephanie Graham and Alan Massey 176th 1:27:07
Abby Andrews and Jamie Andrews 190th 1:28:10
Ray Brownfield and Ange Perrott 200th 1:28:53
Gerry O’Boyle and Rab Martin 209th 1:29:54
Lisa Tomalin and Glenn Armstrong 212th 1:30:14
Claire Scott and James Lemon 335th 1:37:49
Andrew Nicholson and Curtis Couler 357th 1:39:06
Stephen Moore and Pierce Kirwan 388th 1:41:47
Emma Fox and Wendy Neely 449th 1:47:14
Jamie Stevenson and Mick Hall 499th !:52:21
Paula Simpson and Joanne Kelly 515th 1:53:56
Neill Dickson and Louise Watson 524th 1:54:39
Alison Wise and Hannah Dunne 546th 1:57:24
Well done to all our runners who participated in this latest mystery tour. It would appear that the race was more like 9.5 miles in length and while all of the above was true about multi terrain, there were omissions about manure, sheep poo and the little matter of 1000ft of elevation. Not to mention a finish line that was a false dawn until yet another slog up another hill. That’s why the never againers always turn up next year for yet another torturous run around the countryside.
Full Results:
http://Christmas_Cracker_Results_2022.pdf