Last night, I had the privilege of racing in the annual Friday Night Under the Lights Christmas 5 Miles race, which was an amazing experience. The race had its fair share of challenges last year, with the mercury showing --5C after heavy snowfall the previous weekend. However, the joint Race Directors purchased grit and spent the previous night and most of the day of the race clearing the course – or at least a narrow racing line – so the race could go ahead.
The Friday Night Under the Lights race is the brainchild of two passionate supporters of distance running: Ben Noad (Highgate Harriers) and Keith Scofield (Hercules Wimbledon). It was born in 2021 as an outlet for aspiring club runners when the race calendar was sparse.
This year's race conditions were excellent and mild, making for a perfect racing experience. The current UK's Fastest Times are held by Lucy Reid at 26:03 and Mahamed Mahamed at 23:20. There was even a £200 cash bonus paid for Course Records (fastest Time), which added to the excitement of the race.
The 5M road on a flat-certified three-lap course + 943m race was conducted under RunBritain Rules and is now in its third year. The flat, fast course started near Battersea Park athletics track and comprised three laps of Central Avenue, West Carriage Drive, South Carriage Drive, and East Carriage Drive around the central lake within the park.
As a proud representative of my athletics club, HY Runners, I was super happy to be racing in this illustrious race. While the battle in the leading pack took shape, I had an exciting dual with Ollie Knowles, representing Petts Wood. I took the lead in the final stretch and achieved a new personal best of 25.49, placing in the top 30 in the senior category.
Roger Poolman, representing Highgate Harriers, won the race in 23.25, just five seconds shy of the record. Lucy Reid also impressed by going 26.03 and breaking her course record.
It was so much fun racing, and I look forward to my next challenge in January, the 2024 Sussex Cross Country Championships, which will be held at Little Common in Bexhill.
To put the cherry on the cake, my HY Runners teammate, mentor, and friend Carl Adams had the honour of the number one bib and had an excellent result, placing 4th in V45.
Best, David
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