The Waggy Races Christmas Special
Castle ward
Picture this rather unusual Christmas scene. It is 13th December on the shore of Strangford Lough in Co Down. Princess Leah, Luke Skywalker and a greened-up Jack Russell are limbering up beside Game of Thrones’s Jon Snow, an excitable Dire wolf called Axl and a couple of 3-eyed ravens. A throng of Santas, a horde of elves, a herd of reindeer and a giant Christmas pudding are chatting nearby. The Minions, quite naturally, are there too, as are a pair of giggling robbers flanked by Wonder Woman, Super Woman and Superdog. Little Red Riding Hood, Grandma and the big wolf himself are lingering about, stretching their hamstrings. We are of course at the beautiful Castle Ward Estate and the Waggy Races Christmas Special is about to kick off!
Known to many as the home of Waggy Races, Castle Ward is where it all began back in March 2014 and this return event drew the biggest crowd yet, with 150 dogs and 170 humans in all manner of spectacular fancy dress. One thing would be clear as the competitors arrived to register – Becca and Alison from Guide Dogs NI would have a big call to make for the Spirit of Waggy Races best dressed team award before the day was out.
The race took the form of a mixed terrain cross country 5k, starting on the lawn in front of the Castle Ward mansion, passing through the farm yard, following the Lough shore path past Audley’s Castle and finally finishing by the stable yard. The heavy rain during the week leading up to the race ensured a nervous few days for the slightly hypothermic race organisers but thankfully the good ol’ norn iron weather held tight and stayed dry on race day. The course none the less was very wet and very muddy for the competitors!
As per usual, the start line was rife with snarling, salivating, hyperactive behaviour and the sniffing of opponents. The dogs on the other hand were very well behaved as they waited for the race to start. At precisely 11.15am the hooter hooted, the crowd roared, the dogs barked and some 60 humans and 45 dogs commenced their walk. Among them, 85 year old Maureen McMurtry was making her Waggy Races debut, as was an assistance hearing dog called ‘Edna the wonder dog’, while over excited Guide dog Ushi was making his fourth appearance with Torie Tennant. As the troop of colourful walkers disappeared across the lawn out of sight, the runners started to get warmed up for their 11.30am start.
In Waggy Races, each human/dog team is allocated a starting lane and are grouped into waves based on their expected race pace. They are released at one minute intervals, which is reflected in the timing, such that for example, a person in wave 1 might cross the line first but not necessarily win the overall race. As each wave galloped across the lawn, it was a delight to watch all shapes and sizes of humans and hyper dogs in all manner of attire. Waggy Races is a team event where you must start and finish the race together. The irony is that the dogs have no idea they are racing – they excitedly and instinctively run as part of a pack and love the excitement of being in the event!
As the fifth and final wave vanished up the Rocky Road, an ambience of anticipation developed among the waiting crowds, who didn’t actually have long to wait. The familiar sight of Gary Davison, looking a bit too comfortable in a short skirt, blonde wig, heavy make-up and low-cut superwoman top, came storming up the hill with Buddy the Collie to take first place. This was Gary’s fourth consecutive win and a record time of 17mins 42 secs to boot! A few moments later, the Night Watch’s Colin Jess and Weimeraner Axl finished strongly to take 2nd place (again), while Jonathan Waddell with Pip the pointer/collie weren’t too far behind for the final podium spot.
In the women’s race, speedy elf Lyndsey Taylor with Herbie the terrier cross sprinted to the finish line in a women’s record time of 20mins 43secs to take top spot on their debut and impressively, finish third overall. In a very open category, Lynsey was the sixth female winner in six races! Karen Bleakley, dressed as Santa, puffed her way up the hill with German Shepherd Jaia to cross the line for her second consecutive 2nd place, while bronze was taken by Wonder woman herself Claire Withers and Blue Steel Beagle Cash.
Among the Pack category, Louise and Glenn Smart, with green Jack Russell Dexter, had clearly used the force through the mud as the Star Wars themed couple powered up the hill to take 1st place and set a new pack record. Melanie Craig & Joe Scott (with Springer Molly) followed by Elves Claire Carson & Kevin Kelly (with athletic Schnauser Lola) took the remaining spoils.
The 2-dog category was all about the Santa themed athletes and Christmas jumpers. Paul Morton in his fifth race ran an impressive time with Labradors Mylo and Beau to pick up his first podium place. Meanwhile, building on a strong debut at Montalto, Gordon Walker with eager team mates Buddy and Roxy, was dragged up the hill to take 2nd.
On a day of records, the ‘Spirit of Waggy Races’, in this case awarded for the best dressed team, was retained for the first time ever! The Guide Dogs committee made the high pressure decision that wig wearing Aussie Bronwyn Walsh, partner Terence McCann and lovable terriers Scap and Rosie be worthy winners for their depiction of Little red riding hood, grandma and the big bad wolf. Congrats guys!
The final prize of the day was the raffle, proceeds of which went to Guide Dogs NI. The lucky winner was Pamela Wilson who will soon have a canvas oil portrait of her Labradoodle, Molly, painted by Susan from Animal Artworks. Brilliant prize - congrats Pamela and Molly!
As the Waggy Racers made their way up the final stretch of laurel walk to the finish line, it was a pleasure to see such a welcoming and supportive atmosphere develop as everyone cheered their fellow competitors up the hill, while chatting over a glass of mulled wine and mince pies about their dog’s performance on the muddy trails, the lovely route, the fancy dress prospects and of course how much time they could have shaved off had their dog hadn’t stopped for three poos.
On the future of Waggy Races, several key questions remain on everyone’s lips; where and when will Waggy Races VII be? Who can topple the Carrick Cannonball Gary Davison off the top of the men’s podium in 2016; and most importantly, future tactics on how to stop your dog pooing at a key stage of the race.
..........................................................
Big thanks to:
...Pet Warehouse NI for providing all the goodies, an essential part of race day! So thank you Chloe, Stephen and Alfie for helping to fill our goody bags!
...Murphy's Bark'ery for their fantastic stall, prize hampers, dinner plate cookies and medals.
...Susan from Animal-Artworks for the raffle prize and for displaying her work at registration.
...Anna Barron-Moore from Vets4Pets Lisburn (Longstone) for providing the veterinary support at her 3rd Waggy Races!
...Dr Lynn Cromie for providing medical support, race timing and constant reassurance!
...Aimee from K9 Grooming Salon for her prize donations of doggy goodies.
.... Nuravet, for providing high quality canine joint supplements for prizes.
...Paws for a Splash (canine hydrotherapy pool, opening early 2016) for complementary sessions.
...Aurora Glass Ireland for the soft needle felt model of the winners dog!
...Becca and Alison from Guide Dogs NI who provided us with a crack team of marshals and very importantly, for judging the Spirit of Waggy Races award!
...the National Trust at Castle Ward who helped us massively to facilitate and promote the race and also provided assistance on race day itself with parking, marshalling etc
...our team of marshals for giving up their time to look after our runners on the route!
...Mark from Frontline Freelance photography, who produced another brilliant set of pics at his second Waggy Races and Sharon from Kalos Photography who did the same at her fifth event!
Known to many as the home of Waggy Races, Castle Ward is where it all began back in March 2014 and this return event drew the biggest crowd yet, with 150 dogs and 170 humans in all manner of spectacular fancy dress. One thing would be clear as the competitors arrived to register – Becca and Alison from Guide Dogs NI would have a big call to make for the Spirit of Waggy Races best dressed team award before the day was out.
The race took the form of a mixed terrain cross country 5k, starting on the lawn in front of the Castle Ward mansion, passing through the farm yard, following the Lough shore path past Audley’s Castle and finally finishing by the stable yard. The heavy rain during the week leading up to the race ensured a nervous few days for the slightly hypothermic race organisers but thankfully the good ol’ norn iron weather held tight and stayed dry on race day. The course none the less was very wet and very muddy for the competitors!
As per usual, the start line was rife with snarling, salivating, hyperactive behaviour and the sniffing of opponents. The dogs on the other hand were very well behaved as they waited for the race to start. At precisely 11.15am the hooter hooted, the crowd roared, the dogs barked and some 60 humans and 45 dogs commenced their walk. Among them, 85 year old Maureen McMurtry was making her Waggy Races debut, as was an assistance hearing dog called ‘Edna the wonder dog’, while over excited Guide dog Ushi was making his fourth appearance with Torie Tennant. As the troop of colourful walkers disappeared across the lawn out of sight, the runners started to get warmed up for their 11.30am start.
In Waggy Races, each human/dog team is allocated a starting lane and are grouped into waves based on their expected race pace. They are released at one minute intervals, which is reflected in the timing, such that for example, a person in wave 1 might cross the line first but not necessarily win the overall race. As each wave galloped across the lawn, it was a delight to watch all shapes and sizes of humans and hyper dogs in all manner of attire. Waggy Races is a team event where you must start and finish the race together. The irony is that the dogs have no idea they are racing – they excitedly and instinctively run as part of a pack and love the excitement of being in the event!
As the fifth and final wave vanished up the Rocky Road, an ambience of anticipation developed among the waiting crowds, who didn’t actually have long to wait. The familiar sight of Gary Davison, looking a bit too comfortable in a short skirt, blonde wig, heavy make-up and low-cut superwoman top, came storming up the hill with Buddy the Collie to take first place. This was Gary’s fourth consecutive win and a record time of 17mins 42 secs to boot! A few moments later, the Night Watch’s Colin Jess and Weimeraner Axl finished strongly to take 2nd place (again), while Jonathan Waddell with Pip the pointer/collie weren’t too far behind for the final podium spot.
In the women’s race, speedy elf Lyndsey Taylor with Herbie the terrier cross sprinted to the finish line in a women’s record time of 20mins 43secs to take top spot on their debut and impressively, finish third overall. In a very open category, Lynsey was the sixth female winner in six races! Karen Bleakley, dressed as Santa, puffed her way up the hill with German Shepherd Jaia to cross the line for her second consecutive 2nd place, while bronze was taken by Wonder woman herself Claire Withers and Blue Steel Beagle Cash.
Among the Pack category, Louise and Glenn Smart, with green Jack Russell Dexter, had clearly used the force through the mud as the Star Wars themed couple powered up the hill to take 1st place and set a new pack record. Melanie Craig & Joe Scott (with Springer Molly) followed by Elves Claire Carson & Kevin Kelly (with athletic Schnauser Lola) took the remaining spoils.
The 2-dog category was all about the Santa themed athletes and Christmas jumpers. Paul Morton in his fifth race ran an impressive time with Labradors Mylo and Beau to pick up his first podium place. Meanwhile, building on a strong debut at Montalto, Gordon Walker with eager team mates Buddy and Roxy, was dragged up the hill to take 2nd.
On a day of records, the ‘Spirit of Waggy Races’, in this case awarded for the best dressed team, was retained for the first time ever! The Guide Dogs committee made the high pressure decision that wig wearing Aussie Bronwyn Walsh, partner Terence McCann and lovable terriers Scap and Rosie be worthy winners for their depiction of Little red riding hood, grandma and the big bad wolf. Congrats guys!
The final prize of the day was the raffle, proceeds of which went to Guide Dogs NI. The lucky winner was Pamela Wilson who will soon have a canvas oil portrait of her Labradoodle, Molly, painted by Susan from Animal Artworks. Brilliant prize - congrats Pamela and Molly!
As the Waggy Racers made their way up the final stretch of laurel walk to the finish line, it was a pleasure to see such a welcoming and supportive atmosphere develop as everyone cheered their fellow competitors up the hill, while chatting over a glass of mulled wine and mince pies about their dog’s performance on the muddy trails, the lovely route, the fancy dress prospects and of course how much time they could have shaved off had their dog hadn’t stopped for three poos.
On the future of Waggy Races, several key questions remain on everyone’s lips; where and when will Waggy Races VII be? Who can topple the Carrick Cannonball Gary Davison off the top of the men’s podium in 2016; and most importantly, future tactics on how to stop your dog pooing at a key stage of the race.
..........................................................
Big thanks to:
...Pet Warehouse NI for providing all the goodies, an essential part of race day! So thank you Chloe, Stephen and Alfie for helping to fill our goody bags!
...Murphy's Bark'ery for their fantastic stall, prize hampers, dinner plate cookies and medals.
...Susan from Animal-Artworks for the raffle prize and for displaying her work at registration.
...Anna Barron-Moore from Vets4Pets Lisburn (Longstone) for providing the veterinary support at her 3rd Waggy Races!
...Dr Lynn Cromie for providing medical support, race timing and constant reassurance!
...Aimee from K9 Grooming Salon for her prize donations of doggy goodies.
.... Nuravet, for providing high quality canine joint supplements for prizes.
...Paws for a Splash (canine hydrotherapy pool, opening early 2016) for complementary sessions.
...Aurora Glass Ireland for the soft needle felt model of the winners dog!
...Becca and Alison from Guide Dogs NI who provided us with a crack team of marshals and very importantly, for judging the Spirit of Waggy Races award!
...the National Trust at Castle Ward who helped us massively to facilitate and promote the race and also provided assistance on race day itself with parking, marshalling etc
...our team of marshals for giving up their time to look after our runners on the route!
...Mark from Frontline Freelance photography, who produced another brilliant set of pics at his second Waggy Races and Sharon from Kalos Photography who did the same at her fifth event!