Highgate Harriers Senior Men’s Team narrowly missed out on a National Cross Country team podium despite posting their best team score in living history, but take home the “9 to score outside the top 3” trophy. The National was held at Bolesworth Castle on Saturday 25th January.
The National Cross Country is arguably one of the hardest foot races in the world, bringing 1,500 runners from across the country together to battle it out over 12k / 7.4miles. The Bolesworth Castle course weaved through the castle grounds on a flat and firm course, with little in the way of hills or mud to write home about.
The race was rapid from the off, with Highgate’s Alex Leprêtre and Jacob Allen, who both recently represented England at the Valencia 10k, looking to get amongst the early pace. The race was dictated by Tonbridge’s James Kingston, eventual winner, and Cambridge’s Jack Gray breaking away from the front pack at half-way. Alex Leprêtre, despite a mid-week ‘work’ trip to Ireland and legs full of marathon training ran a well-measured race, finishing a quality 13th place. Recently crowned Highgate 5km record holder, Jacob Allen, joined the relentless early pace and held it together brilliantly to finish in 20th.
The 1879’s third man home was the club's ex-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 46th.
Not far behind was Terry Fawden, who attacked the race from the gun, and had a brilliant run to finish 52nd, backing up a recent BUCS B-race 2nd place and a 5k PB 8 days before the race. Charlie Haywood finished in 53rd, just 1 place behind Fawden, backing up a solid Southern Cross outing with a National Cross personal best position. Closing the 6-man scoring team was Club Captain Rob Wilson in 65th, strongly working through the field for his debut National top 100, after 5 finishes in the 110-130’s.
Although closing the gate in 65th place with a living history record team score, Highgate just missed out on a podium, placing 4th in the team standings with 249 points. Leeds closed in a dominant 108 points, with Cambridge living up to their pre-race confidence in second with 177 points and Highgate’s 12-stage nemesis Tonbridge in third with 214 points.
Despite narrowly missing out on a 6 to score podium, Highgate once again won the iconic “9 to score outside the top 3 podium teams” trophy. Stellar runs from Harry Allan (105th in his debut National for Highgate), Sean Renfer (126th, his second best National placing) and Peter Chambers (166th, flying back from LA the day before) were enough to clinch trophy victory.
Strong runs on the day from the rest of the team included David Shepherd (249th), Henry Murdoch (347th), Jonny Laybourn (425th), Ash Chambers (448th), Alex Holley (547th), Farid Sousou (570th), Adam Lennox (923rd), Andrew Russell (1144th) and Mark Watson (1256th).