Published: 13 June, 2013

• TOP athletes raced for 25 gruelling laps around Parliament Hill athletics track on Thursday evening at a special “Night of the 10,000 Personal Bests” organised by Highgate Harriers.

The event, created to boost standards and give distance running a platform outside of structured championships, saw runners from across the country compete in three 10k races all seeking to beat their personal bests.

Accompanied by a lively atmosphere and a band, athletes raced against set times of 32:20 to 36 minutes (C race); 30:29 – 32 (B) and 28:59 – 30.15 (A) and Highgate’s runners held their own, with Gordon Pearce winning the C race in 32:33.40 and Brahama Pochee taking sixth of the 22 finishers with a personal best of  34:32.18. Ed McGinley of Liverpool won the A race in a pb time of 29:53.32 and Harvey Speed of Coventry won the B in 31:22.29.

Ben Pochee, Highgate team manager and event organiser, said he was delighted by the response to the night by spectators, volunteers and athletes.

“The event demonstrated a wonderful collective spirit I believe is required if we as the athletic community are to create the events we believe are missing from our calendar,” he said. “Our sport is a small community, so it is truly uplifting to see what we can create when we all come together to facilitate, race and cheer as one.”