Castlewellan Christmas Cracker

Castlewellan, United Kingdom • 27 Dec 2025

Event overview

The Castlewellan Christmas Cracker is scheduled for 27 December 2025 at Castlewellan GAC, 21 Circular Road, Castlewellan, Co Down, BT31 9ED. The course is approximately 8.5 miles, using roads, fields and forest tracks in and around Castlewellan. The race is run by teams of two; both team members must cross the finish line together. Each team receives two race numbers labelled A and B, and the barcode on runner A is scanned at the finish for results. Entry is limited to 750 teams. All finishers receive a medal. Cash prizes are awarded to the first three teams in Men, Women and Mixed categories, plus age-category cash prizes for teams outside the top three based on combined team age bands. Spot prizes are offered for best fancy dress.

Entry, rules and facilities

Entries opened 29 September 2025 and close 26 December 2025; the pair entry fee is £40 per team. The event is for runners aged 16 or older. The event may use a waiting list if it sells out; waiting list entrants are not required to pay until a place is offered. No race-day entries are accepted. Team changes and entry transfers are permitted before the organiser deadlines. Registration takes place at Castlewellan GAC. Changing facilities and showers are available. No dogs, headphones or prams are allowed. Soup and rolls are provided after the race at the Community Centre opposite the GAA club. No bottled water is provided at the finish. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Race information

9 mi
8.5 Miles
Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Trail runs nearby

Take on a hilly 10 km trail through scenic Tollymore Forest Park at the NIMRA Run For Rescue on 6 Dec 2025. Support Mourne Mountain Rescue with a voluntary donation while enjoying a marked and marshalled course.

Join Annadale Striders for the Malcolm Cup XC at Ormeau Park, Belfast on 1 February 2026, a lively cross country meeting with races for youth and seniors up to four miles. Enjoy competitive racing, team and individual prizes, and enter via..

Run the gardens of Hillsborough Castle on scenic forest routes past the fort and lake, finishing in the event village. Choose 10K or half while supporting Northern Ireland Hospice and enjoy pacers, free photos and a themed medal.

Experience the classic Mourne Mountain Marathon, a two day endurance and navigation challenge in Northern Ireland. Teams of two tackle multi day routes and camp overnight, welcoming everyone from walkers to elite runners.