Race Date: Sunday 16th November 2025

Race Report by Nicole Nield

The 38th Heanor 10K – Matthew Walker Pudding Run

It was reading Caroline Brash’s Race Report from 2024 that inspired me to apply at the earliest opportunity for a place in the Heanor 10k Pudding Run, organized by Heanor Running Club. It did not disappoint.

The event takes place at the Shipley Country Park, Heanor, near Nottingham. Matthew Walker make their Christmas puddings in the village. It boasts that it is the world’s oldest Christmas pudding maker having been established in 1899. Marshalls were available before the entrance to the park to direct us either to a free car park, slightly further away from the event start, or the local authority car park next to the Country Park which you have to pay for. Number collection was behind the café which was already busy serving runners and their supporters. Collection was swift and efficient. The start line was nearby. A fun run takes place before the 10K. Our run started punctually taking us initially through an industrial estate past the Matthew Walker factory. I hadn’t expected this road section and began to question why I had decided to wear trail shoes. However, the route soon dipped back into the park behind the café and the rest of the run was on tarmac paths and trails which had not suffered too badly during recent storms. There were a couple of challenging climbs along the varied and pleasant route.

For the entry fee of £23.00 plus processing fee of £1.11, following the run you were given a medal, water, mulled wine, a mince pie and a Christmas Pudding. A most enjoyable run for me, not least because following a chest infection I was not sure whether I would actually be able to finish it, but I did. So, thank you Caroline.

First male Joe Crutchley, unaffiliated, MSEN clock and chip time 00.31.59

First female Hayley Gill, Mansfield Harriers, F45, clock time 00.38.00 and chip time 00.37.59

Five Striders were among 875 runners who lined up for the Matthew Walker 10k.

Striders Results