By: Martin Downham.

Race Date: 26^th December, 2025.

Distance: 6.4 km.

KMR Boxing Day Race (Race 12) previously known (and also known) as The Turkey Trot Race – 26th December 2025.

This Boxing Day Race (once known as The Turkey Trot) follows the same route as The Butcher’s Dog Leg Race though the direction of the loop may differ.

On the day, the remains of a hard overnight freeze were still evident, with frost and ice in places where the bright sunlight hadn’t yet reached. This meant that the road from the start was frosty, but parts of the trail were muddy and quite slippery.  Trail shoes seemed to be the logical option despite there being plenty of road and path.

KEY RACE DAY INFORMATION.

Race HQ (no longer the pub) is the Ruddle Centre, Braithwell, S66 7BA

what3words – ///doubts.epidemics.gets – S66 7BA

Note: It’s a 5 minute walk from Race HQ to the start line. Prize giving is also at Race HQ.

Braithwell (a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, South Yorkshire), is about 1 mile north from Maltby and 3 miles (5 km) south-east from Conisbrough.

A trip to the nearby village of Micklebring is also worth a visit, where milk churns are converted into colourful characters. A taster selection can also be seen in Braithwell. Sadly there isn’t a continuous footpath through Micklebring, so take care.

The first km of the race is an uneven but quiet single track road. It then takes a sharp right turn on to a grassed/muddy path which eventually turns into a farm track with some large / avoidable puddles. The course then turns again onto a road side footpath before re-joining the grassed path and road for the return to the start / finish. For a Boxing Day Run it’s a relief that there are no steep hills! This is probably the flattest KMR Race of the series.

Strava has the total ascent at a comfortable 58m (over 6.4km). The 11am start (on Boxing Day) is also very agreeable!

This race was again the final in the 2025, 12 race KMR (Kimberworth / Maltby / Rotherham) series but, like all the others, it can be run as a one-off.

It’s now online entry only (NO entries on the day) and costs £10 / £8.

The usual hot food / buffet wasn’t available for this race, though mince pies were.

The race rules (and age categories) are fairly straightforward. The series rules are a bit more complicated, but 8 races need to be completed to be in with a chance of winning (with full details online).

Advance race specific information isn’t always easy to find online (so check Facebook and ask around if unsure).

Well done to all the runners and the Steel City Striders that completed this Boxing Day event.

Thanks as always to the race and KMR series organisers and volunteers from:

• Kimberworth Striders RC
• Maltby Running Club
• Rotherham Harriers & AC

On the day category prizes were awarded at The Club House (new venue), followed by the Series presentations.

Congratulations to Natalie Neville for taking 3rd Female on the day and winning the Series VF 50-54 Trophy.

The race was won by Elliot Smales (Rotherham Harriers) in 20:53 and Libby Greatorex (Wakefield District Harriers) in 25:38 .

Striders’ Results: