đ 5k/mile elite racing returns to Battersea Park on New Year’s Eve 2025 with a packed afternoon of athletics on the track and in the park. Expect fireworks! Spectating is free!Â
NEWSFLASH: The 2025 Mizuno x FNUL New Year’s Eve special is a wrap! Results đ
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2025 RESULTS
CONGRATULATIONS to Alex Bell who won the Friday Night Under The Lights New Year’s Eve Women’s Elite 5k in a PB time of 15:23.10. Bell was locked together with Hannah Irwin and Alexandra Millard for much of the race, before she put in a surge and broke away before the trio entered the track for the last time. Irwin took second place in 15:26.30 with Millard just behind in 15:26.80.
In the Men’s Elite 5k Joe Wigfield rounded off a great year on the road taking first place in 13:36.50. A tight finish saw Ted Higgins (13:37.10) and Italian international Sebastiano Parolini (13:37.50) complete the podium places. Long-time leader James Kingston finished in fourth place in a time of 13:42.60.
FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS NEW YEAR’S EVE – 2025 PREVIEW
It’s official. Athletics in London will wave goodbye to 2025 with a 5k/Mile special courtesy of Mizuno x Friday Night Under the Lights (FNUL) and Podium 5k Battersea. Mile races will take place on the Battersea Park Millennium Arena track, ahead of two eagerly anticipated 5k showdowns in the park.
ELITE MILE CHALLENGE RACE
Two open mile races will take place at 12pm and 1.40pm. Then at 1.50pm all eyes will be on the elite-level Challenge Mile on the track in Battersea Park. It’s a race with a difference featuring women against men, but only one prize. The women get a 37-second start.
In 2024, Jack Higgins claimed victory with a time of 4:37.65 and net time of 4:06.35. Tom Dodd was just a fraction of a second behind, with Ted Higgins making up the podium places. The first female home was Holly Dixon (in 5th place overall) in a time of 4:45.90, followed by Jorjia March in a stunning U15 Girls time of 4:50.90 (6th place overall).
FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS NEW YEAR’S EVE – ELITE 5k RACES
MEN’S
From the track to the park, the Men’s Elite 5k at 2.05pm will have 75+ runners on the start line. A sub-14 minute run is essential to be in the mix. Battersea Park FNUL regulars James Kingston (PB 13:41) and Joe Wigfield (PB 13:39) will both fancy their chances. As will Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’ Jamie Dee (PB 13:46). The fastest man in the field is Italy’s Sebastiano Parolini (PB 13:25).
2024 RESULT: CONGRATULATIONS to Tomer Tarragano who lived up to his pre-race billing to win the Men’s Elite 5k! Tarragano crossed the line in a time of 13:49.0, just ahead of Thomas Keen who finished in second place in 13:49.3. Joseph Tuffin was third in 13:52.7. 38 runners clocked a sub-15 finish time.
WOMEN’SÂ
Rounding off proceedings, the Women’s Elite 5k at 2.35pm is headlined by two GB Olympians. 1500m specialist RevĂ©e Walcott-Nolan is the defending champion following her 2024 victory at Battersea in a PB time of 15:39. Joining Walcott-Nolan on the start line is 800m Olympic finalist Alex Bell (main picture above) who has a 5k PB of 15:36.
Look out too for Hannah Irwin (PB 15:24), Samantha Harrison (15:11) and Alexandra Millard (PB 15:02). The three fastest 5k runners in the race are all strong contenders for a podium finish at least. Let battle commence!
2024 RESULT: CONGRATULATIONS to Team GB’s RevĂ©e Walcott-Nolan who took first place in the Women’s Elite 5k! The 1500m specialist broke the tape in a time of 15:39, followed home by Poppy Tank in 15:44. Mia Waldmann completed the podium places in a time of 15:53.Â
FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS NEW YEAR’S EVE – TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL
đïž Spectating is free.
đ Full race timetable as follow:
Open races from 12pm to 1.40pm.
1 Mile Challenge at 1.50pm on the track.
Elite Men’s 5k at 2.05pm in the park.
Elite Women’s 5k at 2.35pm in the park.
đđ Travel tips: Travel by public transport is recommended. The nearest station is Battersea Park railway station (served by trains from London Waterloo and Clapham Junction), a couple of minutes walk from the park. Battersea Power tube station, on the Northern Line, is a 5 minute walk away. The 156 and 344 buses also stop very near to the park. Plan your journey using the Transport for London website. On-street parking is available in roads surrounding the park but note local parking restrictions apply.
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