Harriers with Olympian Jo Pavey: from left, Emma Dixon, Ellie Doolan, Georgia Fear and Hattie Brock. Picture: Mark J Townsend.

Published: 16 May, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

HUNDREDS of race fans braved the dreary downpours on Saturday for the chance to see some of the biggest names in the athletics world take part in a “25-lap party”.

Olympians Jo Pavey and Chris Thompson and current European cross-country champion Sophie Duarte were among the stars who turned out for Highgate Harriers’ Night of the 10,000m PBs at the Parliament Hill Fields athletics track.

The highly-praised event incorporated the British and English Championships, with elite runners bidding to qualify to represent Great Britain at the European Championships.

Andy Vernon, who won a bronze medal at the European Cross-Country Championships, came first in the senior men’s elite race in a time of 28 minutes 26.59 seconds.

Meanwhile four-time Olympian Pavey won the women’s elite race in 32:11.04 as she returned to the track for the first time since taking part in the London Olympics.

Pavey couldn’t have praised the competition any higher as she said, “It definitely matched the atmosphere from the Olympics.

“It was louder because it was closer. It’s an awesome idea to really mix up the format of an athletics meeting, it was really exciting.”

Organiser Ben Pochee, a seasoned runner for Highgate Harriers who is no stranger to running 10k, said: “The event from the club’s point of view was a truly rip-roaring success despite the extreme weather.

“The night delivered bucket loads of personal best times in front of an unprecedented crowd of over 900 spectators.

“These achievements were made possible by volunteer passion and key partnerships with The City of London Corporation and British and English Athletics.

“Our goal was to make athletics entertaining for the local community and inspirational for the athletes. And the fantastic feedback we had suggests the event delivered on both counts.”