Parliament Hill Fields

Published: 21 May, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

SNOOKER champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and former 10,000 metres world record holder Dave Bedford were among the race fans who turned out to enjoy the biggest, and most energy-sapping, party on the athletics calendar on Saturday. 

Music, samba drum beats and cheering filled the air as families from across Camden and Islington flocked to Parliament Hill Fields to lap up all the fun and excitement of Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs. Dubbed a “25 lap party”, the event incorporated the British and English Championships, with elite runners bidding to qualify to represent Great Britain at the Under-23s European Champion­ships in July. 

Ronnie O’Sullivan, Kojo Kyereme (Shaftsebury Barnet Harriers) & Dave Bedford

Perhaps the most exciting race of the evening was the women’s elite race where European Under-23s cross-country champion Rhona Auckland out- sprinted previous European champion Jess Coulson to take gold with a time of 32 minutes. 28.32 seconds. 

The final race of the evening, which quite literally lit-up Parliament Hill Fields, saw Liverpool’s bright long-distance runner Jonny Mellor win the men’s elite race with a strong time of 28:46.80. 

Coming in fast: No 189 Robel Bahelbi of Highgate Harriers 

Five-time world snooker champion O’Sullivan, who is a keen runner and competes for Essex-based Woodford Green Athletics Club, took a break from the practice table to hand out the awards to all the race winners, along with a snooker cue. 

Taking the long view DJ Peter Scott 

Dave Bedford, the last British athlete to hold the world record in the 10,000m, praised event organiser Ben Pochee.

“I think, as an event, Highgate Harriers’ Night of the 10,000m PBs is developing well,” he said

“I think Ben’s work putting on this event should be particularly applauded.” 

The evening also saw a grand reunion as former Olympic middle-distance runner Jo Fenn introduced her one-year-old son Beau to her former coach Jack Bayliss, who is still training Highgate Harriers’ future stars. 

Jo Fenn and son Beau with Jack Bayliss