Last year’s Liverpool Cross Challenge winner took victory in dramatic style at the Podium Battersea New Years Eve 5k meeting.
Tomer Tarragano finished his 2024 season in style with a photo finish victory over Tom Keane at Battersea (December 31).
In the finishing Podium Battersea New Year’s Eve 5k meeting, Tarragano, winner of last year’s Liverpool Cross Challenge, clocked 13:49.0 to Keen’s 13:49.3.
It marked the end of a memorable couple of weeks for Tarragano, who trains at the University of Birmingham, after he finished 19th in the senior men’s race at the European Cross Country Championships in Turkey.
Tarragano was not only the third fastest Briton in the field; the race was won by Jakob Ingebrigtsen, but he was also part of the British team that secured the team bronze medal at the event.
After securing a dramatic 5km victory in Battersea, Tarragano spoke to AW about how much he has progressed over the past few months and why 2025 could be even more special.
Tomer Tarragano and Tom Keane (Graham Smith)
“I think it’s all a testament to the hard work we’ve put in this year,” said the 23-year-old.
“I think I’ve made a step up and it’s come at an important time. You can get lost coming out of the younger age groups and into the seniors, so you have to be ready when you come up against the big boys. It can be tough to be, but I feel like I’ve hit the ground running.
“It’s great to train (under Dean Miller) at Birmingham University. There’s obviously been a lot of success over the last few months and it’s been a big day for the team at Liverpool. We’ve had really successful seasons now, from Dean and Luke (Gunn). The support staff did a great job.”
Reve Walcott-Nolan (Graham Smith)
Reve Walcott-Nolan, who represented Great Britain over 1500m at the Paris Olympics, rode Poppy Tank to take top honors in the senior women’s 5km.
The 29-year-old clocked 15:39 to Tank’s 15:44, and the pair battled it out for most of the race.
It was a memorable season for Walcott-Nolan, who clocked 3:58.08 at the Games to become only the ninth Briton to break under 4 minutes for 1500m.
Walcott-Nolan then finished ninth in the semi-finals of the elite 1500m in the French capital.
Reve Walcott-Nolan, Georgia Bell and Laura Muir (Getty)
Earlier last year, he was sixth in the 1500m final at the World Indoor Championships.
Indoors, Walcott-Nolan placed second and third at the national indoor and outdoor championships.
“I learned a lot from the Paris Olympics,” Walcott-Nolan told AW after his win in Battersea enjoyed competing in that environment.
“At the moment, training is going really well and I’m a lot better than this time last year. It’s just about being consistent. I just want to run faster, make more teams and win some medals.”
In the Mizuno Mile, Jack Higgins just edged out Tom Dodd in another close encounter with the pair clocking 4:37.65 and 4:37.90 respectively.
Holly Dixon was the leading female athlete and ran 4:45.90, while Georgia March’s 4:50.90 was a British under-15 best in the mile.
All athletes ran the Podium Battersea New Year’s Eve 5k on a course that combined both track and parkways.
Hundreds of spectators came out to watch, and they lined up just a lane or two away from the athletes near the finish line, creating an exciting atmosphere synonymous with Podium 5k events.
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