Published: 2 February, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

Highgate Harriers’ senior men’s team brought a 14-year wait to a glittering end on Saturday when they won the Southern Cross-Country Championships at Stanmer Park in Brighton.

Competing in a field of around 1,000 runners, all six members of the Harriers’ finished in the top 42 as they beat South of England champions Bedford and County.

Shaun Dixon led the charge as he crossed the finishing line in 10th place with a time of 50.4 minutes, guiding Highgate to the Southern Men’s Championship for the first time since 1997.  

Ben Noad was the next Harrier home in 17th place with a time of 51.33, closely followed by Henry Dodwell in 23rd place in 52:09.

Danny Russell took 32nd spot in 53.22, one place ahead of Ryan McKinlay who clocked a time of 53.23.

Ben Pochee completed the scoring in 42nd place with his time of 53.53, helping the Harriers finish top of the podium with 157 points.

Highgate’s Martin Howard, president of the English Cross-Country Union, presented the huge historic silver trophy to his club’s winning team, collected by veteran runner Ben Pochee.