Published: 22 December, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

HIGHGATE Harriers women go into Christmas at the top of the tree after a battling race over a muddy Ruislip course in Division One of the London Metropolitan Cross Country League.

With just two meets of the five to go, London Heathside are also in the mix, sitting fourth in the 10-team division.

Becky Penty led all the way for Harriers on Saturday, completing the tough and undulating 6k course in 21 mins 21 secs to take first place of 133 finishers.

Harrier Hannah Viner finished a fine fifth in the under-17 4k race in 16.05 and a highly contested men’s 8k race saw Highgate’s Murray Strain come home fifth of 365 finishers in 26.33.

Harriers and Heathside men now sit third and fourth respectively in Senior Men’s Division One.