It was a fairly quiet week of racing as we are winding down towards the holidays but Keely Hodgkinson, this year’s Olympic 800m Champion, was crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2024 on Tuesday. She was the first person from athletics to receive the award since Mo Farah seven years ago. It was great to see Keely bringing additional attention to our sport especially after UK Athletics received an 8% cut of funding from UK Sport in the next four cycle up to the LA Olympics in 2028. Read on for race results!
National
There was a 5k and 10k race at RunThrough’s Chase the Moon event in Battersea Park during the week. The 5k saw wins from Nick Bester and Inca Padfield in 15:18 and 16:43. Henry Hart and Gabriel Reynolds won the 10k race in 31:58 and 35:16.
Another RunThrough event took place in Manchester with a 5k and 10k at the Run Media City Christmas event. Joseph Kopka and Katie Burney enjoyed wins in the 10k in 33:48 and 40:47. The 5k was won by Clark Grantmyre and Sally Best in 15:52 and 20:21.
Over in Gateshead, the Ronnie Walker Saltwell 10k was won by Linton Taylor (Leeds City AC) in 32:44. Lucy Crookes (Tyne Bridge Harriers) was the first women home in 37:19.
Local
On Thursday it was the fourth race of nine in the Dave Jones Prom Run Series organised by Weston Athletic Club. The 5 mile event was won by Jamie Williamson (Springburn Harriers) in 25:28 with Sam Rodda (Reading AC) second in 25:36 and Nathan Williams (Vale Royal AC) third in 25:43. The women’s race was won by Chelsea Baker (Bristol & West AC) in 28:32 with Jessica Heffer (Bristol & West AC) second in 29:51 and Katie Hughes (Westbury Harriers) third in 31:11.
Friday night saw the Christmas Edition of the Run & Rave series in Bristol. It is described as a unique run club that turns your Friday evenings into a an exciting fitness party. These events are runs not races with distances ranging from 5km to 10km at different paces.
The Baltonsborough Charity Christmas Pudding Race is a 5 mile event on slightly undulating country lanes. Fancy dress is encouraged and every participant receives a Christmas pudding. Kurtis Gibson (Unattached) won the race in 26:21 followed home by Alexander Coombs (Wells City Harriers) and Wayne Loveridge (Chard Road Runners) in 27:05 and 27:45. Charlotte Preece (Calne Running Club) won the women’s race in 31:48 with Laura Jones (Taunton AC) second in 31:57 and Louisa Saunders (Wells City Harriers) third in 34:21.