Abbey AC
29 Dec 2009
Eddie Bell and Gladys O'Neill were the third mixed team across the line at the Castlewellan Christmas Cracker on Monday 28 December 2009. The duo persevered despite Eddie taking a nasty tumble on the icy trails, emerging with a bruised and bloody leg. The popular annual race attracted 157 pairs of 'partners', who had to finish together as a team.
Simon Taylor and Gavin McBride also entered the race, but Gavin was forced to withdraw early on when he hurt his ankle. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, as Gavin has entered the London Marathon in April. Simon carried on and finished the course on his own, but could not be counted in the competition.
The top mixed team on the day was North Belfast's Philip Goss and Cathy McCourt. Both are no stranger to the trails, with Cathy having competed for Ireland in mountain running competitions. Philp and Cathy covered the course in 1.13.25 ahead of another North Belfast team, Jim Benson and Sharon Bird, who clocked 1.14.37. Eddie and Gladys were next in 1.15.30, which also would have earned them first in the over-80 age group category.
The first team across the line was Francis Marsh and Simon Seaton in 1.07.38.
It was a fine, bright day for running but conditions were treacherous underfoot. This year's course featured a mix of running on the roads, across fields, and in the park, but there were significant sections that were simply sheets of ice. Reflecting these conditions, the annual Race over the Glens in Glenariff, set for New Year's Day, has already been cancelled.
Results from Castlewellan are available on the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association website.