Off and running, racers hope they can avoid getting stuck in the mud as they tackle a steep climb at Parliament Hill Fields

Published: 26 February, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

THE mud was flying over head high on Saturday as more than 5,000 revved up runners brought Parliament Hill Fields to a standstill when they turned out in force for the Saucony National Cross-Country Championships. 

Highgate’s Robel Bahelbi motors through the mud 

Athletes from across Camden and Islington braved the muddy mounds as members from both Highgate Harriers Athletics Club and London Heathside took part in 10 testing events, ranging from Under-13s boys’ and girls’ races to the headline-stealing senior men’s and women’s competitions. 

Highgate’s Georgia Fear was yet again among the top performers as she finished the women’s Under-17s race, which was run over 5k, in 20 minutes, 29 seconds to take 16th place out of a field of 235 finishers. Club-mate Hattie Brock also ran well to finish the women’s junior race, run over 6k, in 21st place with a time of 25:18. 

Smiles: Highgate Harriers Under-13 girls’ team (from left) Emma Williets, Ellie Gilmore, Alana Brennan, Isabella Millett, Dorothy Brock, Milly Dunne and Hannah Sekkides

Senior runner Auden Nordtveit was again in outstanding form for Highgate as he finished the men’s 12k race in 40:16 to take 10th place out of a field of more than 2,000 runners. 

London Heathside also enjoyed a string of impressive results which, considering the conditions, made finishing any of the races an achievement by itself. Ruari McGonagle did well to finish the Under-13s boys’ 3k race in 13:39, while Sue Rust was the highest-ranking Heathsider in the women’s senior event as she completed the 12k course in 34.02 to take 56th place out of a field of 865 finishers.

Georgia Fear closes in on another impressive time