New Year's Day 10k race report

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Jones takes the crown in Wye Valley New Year Challenge.

Hereford man Charlie Jones running for Cheltenham and County Harriers took first place in the annual Wye Valley Runners New Year’s Day 10k race around the challenging course on the country lanes of Breinton. Jones held off former club mate Barry Reynolds of Hereford Couriers to finish in style in a time of 34 minutes 10 seconds. Reynolds time of 34.27 was just ahead of Brecon athlete Brychan Price Davies who charged home on the finishing straight clocking a time of 34.50.

Brecon were well represented with Donna Morris from the Powys based club just heading off improving Jodie Newell of Wye Valley Runners to finish in a time of 41.58. Newell had work to do with Naomi Prosser from rival club Hereford Couriers breathing down her neck right up to the final straight.

222 runners took part in the event in almost perfect conditions with some really outstanding performances from many of the experienced veteran runners. Jon Herod from Vegan Runners took the male vet 40 prize in a fast 37.31, Jon Newey from BlackPear Joggers the male 45 prize in an even faster time of 36.39 and visiting athlete Donato Esposito of Bournville Harriers dominating  the male vet 55 category with a very fast time of 38.32. Not to be outdone, the lady veteran runners showed some great form: Wye Valley Runner Gillian Miskimmin clocking 44.07 as first vet 35,  Joanna Eddy at 43.45 proved her point in the vet 40 category and Liz Bower from Worcester AC smashed the vet 65 category recording a time of 48.40.

Earlier on new year's morning 169 runners completed the 5k park run on the racecourse but Peter Flynn of Wye Valley Runners decided to do both as part of his London Marathon training

Barry Reynolds, Bobby Pritchard and Liam Tosh won a clear victory to pick up the men’s team prize with Wye Runners clinching the women’s prize with Joide Newell, Gillian Miskimmin and Juiet Moxon .

Martin Flowers chair of Wye Valley Runners thanked all of the runners and volunteers who made the day a great success – he encouraged people to take the first step and join their local club and invited everyone to come along to the clubs next event – the off road Muddy Woody 6 mile Challenge on Sunday Feb 17th at Haugh Woods. There are still a few places left for this race - but selling fast.

Category Name Club Time

Winner Charlie Jones Cheltenham and County 34.10

Second Barry Reynolds Hereford Couriers 34.27

Third Brychan Price Davies Brecon AC 34.50

First lady Donna Morris Brecon AC 41.58

Second lady Jodie Newell Wye Valley Runners 42.28

Third lady Naomi Prosser Hereford Couriers 43.03

Junior Male Evan Price Davies Brecon AC 36.33

Junior Female Addy Carter Hay Hotfooters 45.46

Female vet 35 Gillian Miskimmin Wye Valley Runners 44.07

Female vet 40 Joanna Eddy Unattached 43.45

Female vet 45 Sally Broatch Unattached 49.17

Female vet

50 Helen Carter Presteigne Pacers 47.27

Female vet 55 Liz Davies Ward Hereford Triathlon Cub 55.57

Female Vet 60 Jan Edwards Wye Valley Runners 50.51

Female vet 65 Liz Bowers Worcester AC 48.40

Male vet 40 Jon Herod Vegan Runners 37.31

Male vet 45 Jon Newey Blackpear Joggers 36.39

Male vet 50 Bill Clayton Vegan Runners 41.07

Male vet 55 Donato Esposito Bournville Harriers 38.32

Male vet 60 Paul Dodd Forest of Dean AC 39.55

Male vet 65 Adrian Jones Unattached 47.09

Male vet 70 Steve Herrington Hereford Couriers 46.46

Male vet 75 Brian Symonds Wye Valley Runners 52.02

Male Team Barry Reynolds

Bobby Pritchard

Liam Tosh Hereford Couriers

Female team Jodie Newell

Gillian Miskimmin

Juliet Moxon Wye Valley Runners