According to Wikipedia, Boxing Day was first recognised in Britain in 1743 and defined as the day after Christmas Day. Wikipedia adds that: "traditionally on this day tradespeople, employees, etc., would receive presents or gratuities (a "Christmas box") from their customers or employers."

At the runABC nerve centre we think Boxing Day is the day to unbox those new racing shoes and put them to the test! So, what opportunities do we have in the runABC South area to test-run those trainers on Boxing Day?

Alan Roberts, of Vale of Aylesbury AC, has been promoting the traditional Aylesbury Boxing Day 5K road race for many years. The main event comprises a lap of the historic Market Square and two laps of Aylesbury town centre. There is also an exciting Junior 800m race utilising Market Square and Kingsbury Square with a finish in the High Street. A senior runner (in good shape) leads the race for the junior runners to follow.

The only way is Essex if you want to race five miles on the road on Boxing Day. Witham Running Club invites you to Witham Rugby Club for their Boxing Day 5 on a single-lap road course. There were nearly 400 runners last year and a sub-25-minute winning time, so the course is quick. The host club provides a running Christmas Pud for a Beat the Pud Challenge to add to the fun and help you run off those festive indulgencies!

Staying in Essex but on softer ground, we have the Crown to Crown Boxing Day 5K race by Pitsea Running Club. This trail race is mainly run on bridleways through the Essex Wildlife Trust's Willow Park in Basildon, with a start and finish at Westley Heights Country Park behind the Crown Public House that gives the event its name.

Down in North Somerset, we have possibly the biggest Boxing Day bonanza with the Clevedon Boxing Day Race. The coastal Victorian town north of Weston-super-Mare comes alive on Boxing Day as more than 1,000 runners gather for the annual four-mile blast. The event records are 18:28 (Ian Gillespie) and 20:15 (Kate Reed) so this is another quick course. A Junior 3K race is held 45 minutes before the main race, so bring the kids!

The events we have highlighted all have entries available and the possibility of entries on the day at the time of writing. You can check the runABC South race listing here for other opportunities

Photo courtesy Vale of Aylesbury AC Boxing Day race gallery