by Rónán Davison-Kernan
The BARF Turkey Trot has taken place (almost) every year since 1991. Taking place every 26 December, it involves a tear around the hills somewhere in and around the Trassey valley. The venue and route has changed a few times, but since 2021 it has stayed close to its roots and settled into a start and finish at Meelmore Lodge with a 7.5km-ish lap of Slieve Meelmore before retiring to Tollymore Mountain Centre for festive refreshments. In tradition BARF members donated prizes and unwanted Christmas presents, from wireless speakers to wine, hand-burned wooden bowls and even a few …surplus Hill & Dale series prizes. Other fine customs were upheld; mince pies and mulled wine, Paddy Mallon’s famous spot prize Quiz, and the strong showing of local and ex-local runners returned for Christmas, making this always a competitive fixture. The Turkey Trot also always proves an excellent entry point to mountain running for many (the author included, in 2014) given its relatively short and benign route (sometimes).
