Key Points:
- Twelve members of Radcliffe Athletic Club participated in the annual Santa Dash trail race in Horwich before Christmas.
- The four-mile course began near the Jolly Crofters pub and included festive treats midway through.
- Chris Mihalyi achieved second place overall with a time of 34 minutes and 29 seconds — improving on last year’s result.
- Other runners included Daniel Hunt, John Szubert, Amanda Callan, Emma Horner, Paul Stevens and several others.
- The race maintained its festive spirit with fancy dress, Christmas music, and a supportive community turnout.
- Some Radcliffe runners also joined Christmas Day parkruns at Heaton Park and other local venues.
- The event stood as one of Horwich’s seasonal highlights, raising community spirit ahead of the holidays.
Twelve Radcliffe Athletic Club members embraced festive cheer and challenging conditions at the annual Santa Dash in Horwich, completing the four-mile trail race with camaraderie, competition, and Christmas spirit. The event, starting near the Jolly Crofters, offered runners scenic climbs, muddy tracks, and a ‘curly wurly’ reward mid-route.
What was the Santa Dash 2025 event in Horwich like?
As covered by The Bolton News, the Santa Dash in Horwich has become a local festive tradition known for its tough yet cheerful course. Runners don Santa suits, Christmas jumpers and red hats as they wind through a hilly trail circuit that both tests endurance and celebrates community spirit.
The 2025 edition, held one weekend before Christmas, saw a large turnout of local clubs and recreational runners. The race began near the well-known Jolly Crofters pub, a familiar landmark in the area, before ascending toward the countryside paths above Horwich. The mid-race highlight — a stop for a classic curly wurly treat — gave runners a moment of levity before tackling the remainder of the course.
Organisers described the route as “a balance between challenge and fun,” welcoming athletes of different abilities to take part in the festivities while maintaining a competitive edge among regular clubs such as Radcliffe AC, Burnden Road Runners, and Horwich RMI Harriers.
Who led the Radcliffe runners at the Santa Dash?
As reported by The Bolton News’ correspondent, leading the Radcliffe contingent was Chris Mihalyi, who delivered an outstanding performance, finishing second overall in 34 minutes and 29 seconds. Mihalyi’s time marked a notable improvement of one minute and 30 seconds faster than his 2024 performance, climbing four places higher in the final standings.
Quoting directly from The Bolton News,
“the hills were no match for Mihalyi, who powered through the climbs and maintained a steady pace to secure his spot among the top finishers.”
His consistent performance across the season reinforced his reputation as one of Radcliffe’s strongest middle-distance runners.
Following Mihalyi, Daniel Hunt clocked a solid 41:13, securing a mid-pack result that reflected his measured effort over the undulating terrain. John Szubert crossed the line at 45:59, maintaining form throughout the hills.
Among the women, Amanda Callan (54:14) and Emma Horner (54:14) ran together, finishing in identical times, shortly followed by Paul Stevens (54:15), Laura Aiken (54:15), Lucie Tighe (54:16), and Sarah Wilson (54:20). Completing the joyful effort, Mark Taylor and Karen Wells both clocked 54:20 and 59:59 respectively, while Laura Tracey closed the Radcliffe results at 1:06:00.
How did the event promote festive unity among runners?
The annual event has grown beyond a competitive race — it has become a key part of Horwich’s Christmas calendar, promoting community spirit and fellowship among local athletes. Participants often attend in family groups or club contingents, donning festive attire and raising funds or awareness for local causes.
Speaking to Horwich Local Life, one organiser highlighted,
“It’s less about winning and more about sharing a bit of Christmas joy. Every year, people turn up in their best Santa costumes, sing along to Christmas songs at the start line, and just enjoy the day together.”
Spectators lined the race course with cheers and festive crackers, dressed as elves and reindeer, symbolising the communal energy that defines the Santa Dash. The post-race celebration outside the Jolly Crofters welcomed runners with warm refreshments, festive music, and a light-hearted awards presentation.
Did Radcliffe AC members take part in other Christmas running events?
Yes. The festive running didn’t end with the Santa Dash. As reported by The Bury Times, several members of Radcliffe Athletic Club kept their festive tradition alive by participating in Christmas Day parkruns, most notably at Heaton Park. Described as “a perfect way to start Christmas morning,” runners from across the region gathered for the 5K event before returning home for celebrations.
Club representatives told the newspaper that such events help maintain training rhythms through the winter while fostering social connection. “It’s the best mix of discipline and celebration,” one participant shared, as quoted by The Bury Times.
Why do local races like the Santa Dash hold special significance?
Local events like the Horwich Santa Dash bridge sport and community by bringing together competitive runners, casual joggers, and families alike. According to Greater Manchester Sport News, participation in such grassroots races has risen steadily in recent years, particularly as more people turn to endurance sport for both fitness and social well-being.
The Santa Dash’s blend of tradition, endurance, and festivity gives it a unique character. Participants often describe it as “a race to end the year on laughter and sweat”. As noted in The Bolton News, club runners view it as a joyful season finale before resuming training for spring half-marathons or cross-country leagues.
What makes the 2025 edition memorable for Radcliffe Athletic Club?
This year’s Santa Dash stands out for Radcliffe AC due to strong participation numbers and improved times among returning runners. For Chris Mihalyi, shaving over a minute off his 2024 result symbolises progress and commitment. For others, sharing the trail with friends and teammates amidst frosty air and festive décor made the challenge worthwhile.
As stated by The Bolton News,
“the camaraderie within Radcliffe’s group was clear from start to finish — those finishing earlier stayed behind to cheer their teammates home, a hallmark of the club’s supportive ethos.”
Additionally, with multiple joint finishes like those of Callan and Horner or Aiken and Stevens, teamwork truly defined the club’s approach. Each participant’s individual effort contributed to a collective success story highlighting consistency, inclusion, and sport’s role in community life.
How does this reflect Horwich’s broader festive tradition?
Horwich, known for its heritage in sports and strong community networks, hosts numerous festive events from charity markets to musical parades. The Santa Dash, now a staple of that calendar, exemplifies the local spirit of togetherness. As local publication Horwich Courier observed,
“the event captures the town’s heart — competitive yet cheerful, muddy yet magical.”
This blend of athletic excellence, local pride, and light-hearted holiday fun has helped the Santa Dash sustain popularity for over a decade. Participants from across Greater Manchester view it as a perfect end to the running season, celebrating both physical achievement and seasonal goodwill.