Published: 18 February, 2016
by STEVE BARNETT

BARNSTORMING runs from Svenja Abel, Shaun Dixon, and Terry Fawden led Highgate Harriers to another magnificent victory on Saturday as they won the Howard Williams Trophy at Alexandra Park. 

The high-flying Harriers followed up their recent success at the South of England Championships by beating 21 rival clubs in the challenging Metropolitan Cross-Country League. 

Led by Dixon, who completed the 8,000m course in 27mins, 38secs to take second place overall, Highgate men’s team topped Premier Division One for the fourth year in a row. Dixon finished just 11 seconds ahead of Pete Chambers, who took third spot, while Chris Rainsford hit home in 28.21 for 11th place. 

Victory crew: Highgate Harriers’ victorious women’s team (from left) Ashley Scott-Wilson, Hannah Viner, Alex Gounelas, Emma Burgess, Svenja Abel

Out of a field of 356 finishers, there were also strong runs from team captain Robert Wilson, who finished in 28.56 to take 16th spot, Robel Bahelbi, who clocked 29.08 for 18th, and Jon Laybourn, who ran 30.04 for 33rd. 

In the women’s race, which Highgate won, Svenja Abel flew to victory as she completed the 6,000m in 20.45 to lead the field of 138 finishers. Highly-rated junior Hannah Viner was third with a time of 21.37, while Emma Dixon (fifth), Ashley Scott-Wilson (sixth) and Alex Gounelas (10th) also all ran well. 

League sponsors Start Fitness, gave top two athletes over the five races an added bonus, with Dixon and Abel walking away with £575.

In the junior ranks, Terry Fawden put in a starring role as he led Highgate to victory in the combined boys’ Under-15s and Under-17s race, completing the 4,000m event in 15.16. Oliver Haddad finished in 16.04 to take fifth place overall, while Alistair Sleeman was 10th after hitting home in 16.42. 

In the girls’ Under-15s and Under-17s race, Sasha Fear, did well to come second in 16.14, while Emma Williets (16.45) was ninth, and Esther Pigney (19.04) 12th, as Highgate finished third out of 25 clubs.