New course record set at 2025 Boxing Day Run
A new course record was set at the 2025 Boxing Day Run as Christopher Phillips-Hart stormed to victory in the men’s drinking race and claimed overall first place.
Mr Phillips-Hart completed the challenging 3.5-mile run in an outstanding time of 20 minutes and 49 seconds, setting a new benchmark for the event. His achievement was made all the more remarkable by the fact that, having entered the drinking category, he stopped at the two-mile mark to down a pint of Hogs Back real ale before continuing on his way to finish first overall.
Conditions on the day were dry but bracing, with runners facing a cold easterly wind sweeping around the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Despite the chilly weather, the event attracted a strong turnout, with 524 runners completing the race.
In other results, Aidan Zavala claimed first place in the men’s category with a time of 20 minutes and 55 seconds. Rachel Walsh was the first woman to cross the line in the ladies’ category, while Becky Dannatt took top honours in the ladies’ drinking run.
Boxing Day Run organiser Matt Dellar praised both the winners and the wider field, saying: “It was a fantastic Boxing Day Run. To see a new course record set in those conditions was impressive enough, but to do it while taking part in the drinking race really summed up the spirit of the event. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and helped make the day such a success.”
The annual run raises valuable funds for the locally based Holy Cross Hospital, which specialises in neurorehabilitation, general rehabilitation and complex respiratory care. Frances Campion-Smith, Chief Executive at Holy Cross says: “On behalf of everyone at Holy Cross, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Matt Dellar for his dedication in organising the Boxing Day Run since 1997, and to every runner, sponsor and supporter who took part. The continued generosity of the local community makes a real difference to the care we are able to provide to our patients, and we are extremely grateful for the support.”
Matt Dellar also thanked those who made the event possible, adding: “The run is able to take place thanks to the goodwill and support of many people and businesses including our event sponsors Wilson Electrical, Transform Landscaping, and The Sports Locker. I would also like to extend my thanks to the former Chief Executive of Holy Cross Hospital Christopher Hinton for presenting prizes to the winners and bringing the celebrations to a fitting close.”
Full results from the event can be seen at www.boxingdayrun.org.