Highgate Harriers edged further ahead in the 4th of 5 Start Fitness Metropolitan Cross Country League fixtures at Standborough Park, Welwyn Garden City on 14th January.
Out of 357 senior men runners braving the intermittent rain showers in the afternoon, and on a muddy course in places, Highgate Harriers topped the Senior Men's League with 5657 points, followed by Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets 5306; London Heathside 4646; Harrow 3934; Thames Valley Harriers 3804 and Woodford Green & Essex Ladies on 3056. London Heathside top the Senior Women's League, with Highgate Harriers in 7th position.
Highgate's 12 scoring senior men were 5 Robert Wilson (26:29); 6 Charlie Haywood (26:36); 7 Terry Fawden (26:45); 10th Harry Allan (26:55) 14 Roger Poolman (27:03);19 Robel Bahelbi (27:38) 25 Lewis Greaves (27:51); 33 Jack Bailey U20 (28:32); 37 David Shepherd (28:48); 42 Grey Grierson (29:06); 55 Henry Murdoch (29:31); 61 Farid Sousou (29:50). The winner was Oscar Bell of Herts Phoenix in 25:41.
The senior women's race was won by ex-International Liz Janes of Herts Phoenix in 29:04. 161 finished and the Highgate women amongst them were 17 Emily Young (33:11); 23 Flick Burton (33:31); 38 Sabina Russell V55 (34:22); 49 Louise Faherty V45 (35:31); 78 Natasha Cendrowicz V50 (38:34).
Lauren Russell ran an impressive Under 17's race finishing first in 15:56, going away from the opposition in the final part, as they went to the top of the hill and down into the woods. Other Highgate runners in the race included Leoni Delvendahl who was 14th overall and 9th U15 (17:14), and Lizzy Wortsma 14th U15 (17:59).
Ten year old Alex Pettican ran in the Under 11's race and finished 12th in a field of 45 in 5:59.
Emily Lowe was 29th of 41 (14:51) in the Under 13's race; Joseph Drinkell finished 30th out of 76 runners in the U15/17 race and was 15th U15.