About the Christmas Cracker Run It all started in 2007 when I had the idea of putting on a social run just before Christmas, where hopefully runners could shed a couple of pounds before starting with the excesses of the Christmas period, and possibly get out of doing some last minute shopping ! I would invite friends, not just from Northbrook AC, but also friends who are not club runners, or are perhaps members of other clubs. The emphasis would be on it being a social run for all abilities, a chance to run with new faces, and have a chat on the way round. It would NOT be a race. Due to a calf injury sustained the week before the inaugral run I was unable to take part, so I waved the runners off on their way and then returned later to welcome them back and give them their mince pie (or two) My first participation was not until 2008. There were just a handful who turned up at the beginning, with numbers rising year on year. The best attended was 2014 when 52 runners took part. Between 2007 and 2013 the run started from the car park at Tile Hill Station, and covered various distances, some years with three different distances on offer. I would always try and keep the runners together as much as possible before splitting off to go their various ways to maintain the social aspect. One potential problem with running on a December morning is some of the rural country roads round Berkswell and Burton Green could be quite icy, covered in snow or both. On one occasion the route was changed on the morning of the run. I had driven round the route and discovered Church Lane at Meriden was just to dangerous to run on. It was bad enough to drive on ! With problems like this in mind, in future years I planned some of the runs more on well used roads which would have been gritted etc. My first and foremost consideration is always for the safety of the runners taking part.  After running similar routes for the first seven years, I decided for 2014 that the run would have a new start from The War Memorial Car Park, with two routes of 8 and 12 miles, both heading out to the Kenilworth Greenway and back through Warwick University. Also new for 2014 was the introduction of hot drinks at the finish. I had been providing mince pies from the beginning and thought drinks would be a welcome addition, particularly if it is a cold day. That seemed to go down well. Because I supply all the food and drink at my own expense, it was suggested that participants make a donation towards the cost. I organise the Christmas Cracker to get runners together and I'm not interested in covering my costs, so what better idea than to donate any money collected to charity. This proved to be a great idea, with over £70 collected in 2014, and 2015 £90 was raised, for Myton Hospice. My target of raising over £100 was achieved at the 2016 run when we raised a fantastic £110 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, and the 2017 run raised £100, however this was surpassed in 2018 when £153 was raised, and this was followed up with £120 in 2019. The charity is dear to me as my Brother, Graham, passed away aged 20 from this muscle wasting disease. As with most things, and not just running, 2020 was wiped out by the Corona virus pandemic Thankfully the Christmas Cracker returned in 2021, and once again the tradition of  MINCE PIES and HOT DRINKS continued. In 2021 I collected donations for Motor Neurone disease, as in September 2021 we lost a dear friend to this disease, Howard Andersen.  Howard had fought the disease for a year, and was only 64 years old. A great runner, and an all round nice guy. The 2023 Christmas Cracker was on Sunday 17th December. On this ocasion there was only one participant, ME ! With so many races in the calender its not easy to come up with a date which is suitable for many. As always there were refreshments of coffee and food afterwards, but this time it was in the comfort of home, not in the freezing cold of Coventry War Memorial Park. Christmas Cracker Participation Stats: Number of runners and money raised / donated to. 2023 1 runner (£25 - Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) 2022 17 runners (£125 - Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) 2021 18 Runners (£150 - Motor Neurone Disease) 2020 NO RUN - Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic the 2020 event was cancelled. 2019 21 Runners  (£120 - Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) 2018 46 Runners  (£153 - Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) 2017 26 Runners  (£100 - Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) 2016 30 Runners  (£110 - Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) 2015 43 Runners    (£90 - Myton Hospice) 2014 52 Runners    (£70 - Myton Hospice) 2013 35 Runners 2012 30 Runners 2011 28 Runners 2010 2009 2008 2007  6 Runners Click HERE to return to the Christmas Cracker home page