08
Nov
Remarkable Killinghall mum wins bronze at New York Marathon
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A Killinghall mum who only took up running three years ago is celebrating a third place finish in her age group at the New York Marathon.
Davina Ellis, 45, completed the 26.2-mile route in a personal best two hours and 52 minutes on Sunday (November 2).
Davina, who placed third in the 45-49 age group, told the Stray Ferret:
I had goosebumps. People in England found out [that she’d finished third] before I did. My phone was exploding with messages. I was shaking and nervous, but it was unreal to get that bronze medal placed around your neck.
Davina, who only started running for Harrogate Harriers in 2022, was taking part in her fourth marathon.
Her only previous competitive running experience was cross country at school.
She played netball for many years, and did a weekly three-to-four-mile run to supplement that.
Davina did her first marathon — the 2023 London Marathon — in three hours and 15 minutes.
How did she manage to go from novice to elite so fast? She said:
If you can prevent injury, you’re laughing really. I’m really interested in learning from your races and putting that into training and nutrition. I’m very precious about my fitness and I'm really competitive. I’m driven by medals and trophies.
Davina, who said she wants to prove you don’t have to give up because of age or parenthood, plans to compete in the Cape Town and Berlin marathons next year.
Becky Naylor at the New York Marathon.
Six major world marathons
A Ripon woman became one of only 755 British women to complete all six major world marathons last weekend.
Becky Naylor had completed marathons in London, Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo. New York last weekend was the last piece of the jigsaw.
Since her first marathon in 2021, she has raised over £8,000 for charity and run a personal best time of three hours 29 minutes.
Becky, who founded Ripon marketing agency Bronco, said:
This journey has been about discipline, planning, and resilience. Balancing marathon training with running Bronco has been tough, but I’ve always believed that personal goals and professional success can strengthen each other. I’m proud to have completed the Six Stars and to show that with the right focus, anything is possible.
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