Highgate Harriers Senior Men’s Team clinched their first South of England Cross Country title since 2017 in cool but dry conditions at Beckenham Palace Park on Saturday 28th January.
Run over a distance of 9 miles – the only championship race remaining at the traditional length – the Southern Championships provide arguably the sternest test of endurance depth on the calendar. This year’s course, designed in part by Highgate’s President Ben Noad and Martin Holland, was comprised of one small lap, followed by three large laps. Undulating, but with many bits of good fast running, interspaced with a handful of muddier sections, this new course was to be the scene of a battle for the ages as four of the south’s most eminent distance clubs went for the win.
Having recently clocked a 28:51 10km while representing England in Valencia, and with two Met League victories to his name this season, it was no surprise that Highgate’s Alex Leprêtre was among those dictating things at the sharp end right from the gun. Alex was backed up in the lead pack by Taha Ghafari, Highgate’s 49th place finisher at the recent European XC Champs, having driven down from his home in Glasgow to race for the team.
While Alex was prominent at the front throughout the first half of the race it was Tonbridge AC’s James Kingston who was able to break the field. Surging away for a solo victory. However, once the personal win was out of sight Alex executed a stylish run befitting of his cross-country class, beating last year’s silver medallist Ben Alcock in a two-up duel. This secured his second Southern silver, accompanying that won in 2020, and ensured that with one man home for each team, Highgate were just a single point from Tonbridge.
A hard, composed run from Ghafari, in which he battled against a host of the south’s best club men throughout, saw him finish in 4th place - holding off a fast finishing GB international Oliver Fox. Two men home, just 6 points on the board for Highgate.
The 1879’s third man home was the club 5km record holder, 13:50 man Roger Poolman. In his best run since the National 12 Stage of 2022 the maths teacher committed to a fast early pace, using his experience and unquestionable class to come home 16th. By this stage the team competition was nail-bitingly tight. Both Highgate and Tonbridge had 3 men home for scores of 22 and 24 respectively.
Highgate’s fourth man on the day was Charlie Haywood, producing his best ever Southern run on the day that it mattered most. Haywood fought hard throughout against a pack of Wimbledon athletes. Eventually finishing 22nd for a breakthrough XC run. Haywood held off team mate Robert Wilson who came home as Highgate’s 5th man in 24th. The Cross Country Captain having worked up from the mid 30s in the race’s middle section to also secure a championship best finish.
Five men home 68 points on the board. However, between Poolman and Haywood Tonbridge had their 4th man in 20th, and their 5th right behind Wilson in 25th. A quintet home for these two great rivals, Highgate for a score of 68, Tonbridge for a score of 69. In scenes reminiscent of the famous 2022 National 12 Stage, where Tonbridge squeezed out Highgate for the victory by mere seconds on the final leg, it would come down to the wire. While Hercules Wimbledon with four men home in 21 added a third dimension to the battle for the title.
Victory on the day was however to be Highgate’s. Club stalwart Robel Bahelbi ran an experienced race, stringing together a rock-solid performance and astute finish to come home 33rd – just one place in front of Tonbridge’s 6th and final man - for a score of 101 to 103. Had Bahelbi (33rd) and De’Ath (34th) of Tonbridge swapped places it would have meant a score of 102-102 with Tonbridge winning on countback. Talk about fine margins. The jubilation amongst Highgate’s number – from the 21 finishers to their supporters and coaches – was clear for all to see.
The podium was rounded out by Hercules Wimbledon on 125 points (a score often good enough for the win), while last year’s champions Southampton AC had to settle for 4th on 179 points.
Highgate’s 7th man – a prestigious and historic placing in the Southern - was Peter Chambers who finished in 51st as he builds back to full fitness.
A day, race and performance that will go down as one of, if not the, finest, in the history of Highgate’s Senior Men. To win by such fine margins, with such a sublime performance, against formidable rivals, is something everyone at the club should be very proud of.