Megan Keith crosses the finish line to guarantee herself an Olympic Games debut later this summer

IT’S the “little voluntary event” that attracts thousands of eager spectators to Hampstead Heath to watch some of the best athletes in the world competing on their doorstep.

The Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs returned to the Parliament Hill athletics track on Saturday, bringing with it a 25-lap party that always gets the crowd pumping.

The free, non-ticketed showpiece, which first took place in 2013, yet again delivered a series of rousing races – with runners being encouraged every stride of the way by an excited horde who got up close and personal to the action as they cheered from lane four of the track.

Circus acts, live music, crowd motivator Peter Scott and pyrotechnics all helped to generate an electrifying atmosphere – one befitting all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

“There was a great crowd, a great energy,” said event founder Ben Pochee. “It’s a big ask, physically, to put this event together. It really showcases the power of the grassroots volunteers.

“This event wouldn’t have ever started without the Highgate Harriers community. There’s some 150-plus people all doing various tasks, gifting hundreds and hundreds of man hours for free to help make sure the day is a success.

“Of course, they would all love to be relaxing and watching the athletics, but they all fully understand that there are tasks that need to be done, from helping to manage the crowd and directing people to where they want to be, to picking up litter and just helping to make sure the day runs as smoothly as possible.”

Fans flocked to Hampstead Heath as the free athletics showpiece delivered some rousing races

What the majority of spectators don’t see is the effort put in 24 hours before the big race day setting up the track and the crowd-pleasing pyrotechnics, and the clean-up operation that is needed the day after.

There’s also all the hard work that starts months earlier, from promoting the event and getting the message out there on social media, to securing the elite line-ups that help make the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs one of the most eagerly awaited dates in the athletics calendar.

Ben added: “That community spirit that exists within athletics, which exists within clubs up and down the country – week in, week out – fills me with great pride. There’s no other sport like it.”

The highlight of the day – if it was possible to narrow it down – was the men’s and women’s championship races that saw Great Britain’s best bid for an Olympic spot ahead of Paris 2024.

Inverness Harrier Megan Keith guaranteed herself an Olympic debut later this summer with a dramatic victory in the women’s race. The 22-year-old Scot clocked a time of 31 minutes, 3.02 seconds after surging ahead of the United States’ Fiona O’Keeffe in the home straight. O’Keeffe finished second in 31:03.46.

Meanwhile the men’s race was won by Mohamed Ismael of Djibouti in a personal best time of 27:22.38, with England’s Patrick Dever taking second place in 27:23.88, finishing narrowly outside the men’s Olympic qualifying standard of 27:00.

Offering yet more thanks, Ben said: “We are hugely grateful to the City Corporation for investing in the Parliament Hill track with their recent £2m refurbishment – without which the 2024 event simply could not proceed.

“And we’re appreciative of our partnership with Swiss sports brand, On, who are our title sponsor as part of their global athletics event series, On Track Nights.”