Maria Marsh took victory in the overall women’s category at the first race of the Sportlink 10K Series – the Wymondham New Year’s Day 10K.
Marsh and Wymondham AC’s Harriet Carr were locked in a duel for much of the race before Marsh pushed on in the last 3K to win in 39:18. Carr was second in 39:36 ahead of Rose Nicholson (Waveney Valley AC) in 40:27.
Marsh admitted she revelled in the tough, windy conditions.
“I loved it out there today even though it was brutal,” she said. “That head wind on the way out was really tough.
“I was glad of the headwind on the way out rather than on the way back though.
MORE: Check out Sportlink’s New Year Monster Sale here
“I’m just an average runner – I follow Harriet Carr on Strava and I think she’s amazing.
“I was basically with her the whole way and I just felt really privileged to run with her.
“I was feeling good and then I decided to go for it in the last 3K and fortunately it went really well!”
The Norwich-based Marsh will be a new name to many on the circuit but she admitted her success could tempt her to enter more local races in the future.
“I’ve been an avid runner since I was 15 but it’s just primarily been for my mental health.
“I should probably think about it a bit more (racing). I get nervous the night before, which I suppose is natural but I’m 37 so I’m sure I’ve got a few years left in me yet.
“My sweet spot’s probably about a 10 mile or a half marathon.“
Check out the full results here.