The Canal Race has been held since 1998 and is an out and back route following the canal out towards Meadowhall with the turnaround point just after the HalfPenny Bridge, Tinsley, before heading back to Rotherham and the finish line.
The 5 mile route was, for the most part until 2012, all firm trail and took in a circuit of Blackburn nature reserve but with tarmac being laid along the canal towpath from Rotherham to Meadowhall in early 2013, it effectively became a ‘road race’.
Ongoing renovations to Rotherham’s flood defences since 2019 have meant that 2 laps of the nature reserve have now been re-incorporated into the route – one at the start and one at the finish.
10 Striders took part in this year’s event, with pride of place going to Carolyn Holt who took victory in the F65 age category. Carolyn’s sub 40-minute performance was all the more impressive as she had run a 3k leg for Striders at the National Cross Country relays in Mansfield the day before.
Striders Results:
| Position | Name | Time | Age Category |
| 21 | Matheau Frith | 35.20 | SM |
| 25 | Simon Easthope | 35.40 | M50 |
| 46 | Jamie Manton | 39.14 | SM |
| 50 | Sarah Percival | 39.47 | F45 |
| 52 | Carolyn Holt | 39.52 | F65 (1st) |
| 61 | Martin Downham | 40.37 | M60 |
| 75 | Ash Mellors | 42.37 | M40 |
| 78 | Cara Hanson | 43.03 | F35 |
| 101 | Jo Gleig | 45.22 | F65 |
| 168 | Scott Storey | 58.40 | SM |
The race was won by Flynn Rogers from Penistone in 29.43. First woman was Olivia Geer from Rotherham Harriers in 35.38.
Full results can be found here