Ben Pochee in action

Published: 6 February 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

OLYMPIANS and élite distance runners are racing towards the athletics track at Parliament Hill Fields after the Highgate Harriers were selected to host the British 10,000m time trials.

Families and race fans from across Camden and Islington are being urged to mark Saturday May 10 in their diaries so that they can join in a day celebrating British athletics and help recreate the type of scenes witnessed during the London 2012 Olympics.

Incorporating the England Championships, the event will act as a qualifier for the 2014 European Championships, the European Cup 10,000m and the IAAF World Junior Championships.

Olympian Freya Ross, who ran the London Olympic Marathon in a personal best of 2 hours 28 minutes, is the first big name to sign up for the competition. A host of the biggest names within the sport are expected to follow in her footsteps over the coming weeks.

Capturing the championships is a major boon for the volunteer-based Highgate club, who are determined to help put British athletics back on the map. Organiser Ben Pochee, a seasoned runner for Highgate who is more than familiar with distances over 5k and 10k, said, “Highgate Harriers are proud to be welcoming the incorporation of the British 10,000m Championships onto our home track. We have an action-packed afternoon planned, full of live music, exciting races, food and lots more fun and games.

“We want everyone from across Camden and Islington to come along and show their support for what will be one of the proudest days in Highgate Harriers’s history.

“We’re aiming to turn up the volume for this 25-lap showpiece for racing’s personal best hunters, supporters and young athletes alike, and provide a unique platform to showcase the sport.”

British Athletics head of endurance Barry Fudge believes that staging the 10,000m trials for the 2014 major championships at Highgate will be a major boost for the countries top athletes.

“With good 10,000m opportunities hard to come by, I’m sure that this event will give our endurance athletes the best possible chance of running quick times over the distance and qualifying for this summer’s major championships,” he said.