For only the second time in about 110 years Highgate Harriers achieved the All England title by being the top road relay club in 2023, when winning the 12 Stage road relay at Sutton Park, near Birmingham on Saturday, April the 15th. 62 club teams from all over the country started. Not only that but the Highgate 'B' team came 21st and were the first 'B' team to finish, ahead of the first 'A' teams of Liverpool Harriers. Newham & Essex Beagles, Tipton & Gateshead. Ben Pochee the Manager and and Ben Noad, the Club President, were 'Over the moon' with the result! Although Highgate were 2nd to finish behind the' International class' Scottish club Central. AC (4:09.54). That club was not eligible for the English title, Highgate also broke the previous course record with a time of 4:10.38. Kent AC were 3rd in 4:10.50.
Jacob Allen put Highgate ahead on Leg 5 and Alex Crossland maintained their position on leg 6. With 3 legs left it looked as though Kent A.C might take the title (They had that famous Olympian Alex Yee on leg 7) but on the long stage 11 Alex Lepretre took over for Highgate and worked hard to finish at the change over with Dave Gilbert of Kent. Experienced relay man Robel Bahelbi took over on the anchor stage 12 and went right away from the Kent runner to help achieve the English title for Highgate Harriers. Dave Lewis who was on leg 2 joined Highgate fairly recently and, was offered places in other clubs but remarked "It is the atmosphere at Highgate, so friendly, how could you join another club?"
'A' Team
Long & Short Legs. Long:-Seye Saha Ghafrid 26:18; Pete Chambers 26:41; Jacob Allen 25:56; Roger Poolman 26:23; Alex Bampton 26:33; Alex Lepretre 25:21.
Short Stages Daniel Lewis 15:35; Flurry Grierson 15:32; Alex Crossland 15:39; Charlie Haywood15:31; Robert Wilson 15:34; Rob Bahelbi 15:35.
'B' Team
Long:- Sam Jinks 27:06; Harry Allan 28:21; Jack Stenson 27:49; Sean Renfer 28:00; Ash Harrell 27:21; Lewis Greaves 28:50. Short:- Nick Jones 15:29; Robbie Brown 15:28; Monte Watson 15:54 Henry Murdoch 17:70; Andres Chau 17:04 Jack Bailey 16:37.