The 45th annual wellie race will return to Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, on January 1, 2025, where over 600 wellie-clad participants will run a demanding 5km cross-country circuit around the town, in aid of local charities.
Last year, the event raised over €30,000 in donations, which were subsequently distributed among the various local-based non profit organisations partnered with the race.
These charities included: Cois Nore Cancer Support; St. Vincent de Paul; Friends of Castlecomer District Hospital; Kilkenny Wheelchair Association; Mother of Fair Love Special School; Castlecomer Social Services and St.Patricks Centre Kilkenny.
Recounting the origins of the event, treasurer of Castlecomer Wellie Race, Enda Healy said:
“It all started back in 1978 on Christmas night, when a group of local lads, while playing cards and having a few beers, decided to go for a run the following day to run off the Christmas excess.
“St. Stephen’s day was wet and not being the type of men that would be caught dead in a pair of Nikes or Adidas runners, let alone actually own a pair, the same crew turned up in wellies and ran both road and cross country.”
The event in its current form was born a few years afterwards on New Years Day in 1981, when local publican, Jim Bollard, raised the idea of turning the race into a fundraising initiative, whereby the winner would be awarded a cup to commemorate their achievement.
The race is open to everyone, provided they compete in wellingtons and are willing to divulge a charity donation of their choosing in lieu of an entry fee.
“We always have a motto of support local, support your own, and we choose our partners based on merit and on charitable status each year.
“We have quite the annual turnover at around the €30,000 mark, which is nothing to be sneezed at. Back in the day, before the downturn, we were hitting €40,000 and above,” Healy said.
Wellie race
The event has since gone from strength to strength, evolving to include a pre-race spectacle which consists of a parade through the town and live entertainment from local bands.
Prizes are awarded on the day to the best dressed competitor which has encouraged people to show up in all manners of fancy dress.
€1,320 is also awarded to the best float in the parade, which sees numerous creative additions each year.
Speaking about the diverse array of floats expected to be in attendance, Healy said: “The ideas are always different, they’re usually topical, I’m sure Donald Trump will show up this year in some shape or form.
“We [the organisers] haven’t a notion of what will turn up in the parade, all the entry forms must be submitted before 11:00a.m on New Year’s Day, but everyone leaves them in on the morning of the day because they don’t want anyone copying their idea – it’s extremely secretive every year.”
The event, which has become a highlight in the north Kilkenny calendar, is a fun family day out which has the added bonus of raising some much needed funds for local causes.
“We don’t turn it into a competitive thing at all, its not about who’s first home, it’s about creating a fun day out for the whole community to get involved in and enjoy,” Healy added.