Hat-trick for happy Highgate Harriers

Published: 28th April, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

ATHLETICS

HIGHGATE Harriers hit a hat-trick on Saturday when they dominated the medal positions at the London Inter-Club Challenge at Parliament Hill Fields. 

Competing in brilliant sunshine, Australian Danny Russell was the fastest to complete the 5000m course as he raced home in 15mins 26.79secs. 

Team-mate Henry Dodwell finished second in 15m 42.32s, closely followed by Ryan McKinlay in 15m 59.65s. 

Veteran runner Chris Beecham also put in a solid display to finish fifth with a time of 16m 16.8s. 

Record breaker Gwen Thornton, 19, ran to victory in the women’s 400m hurdles in 63.08s, smashing her personal best by more than 70 seconds. 

There was also a welcome return for long-distance runner Becky Long who finished fourth in the 800m in 2m 20.92s. 

Elsewhere Highgate’s Stephen Whiting ran close to his best time on Good Friday when he came 10th in the Maidenhead 10 Miles Road Race with a time of 55m 51s. 

It was a quiet weekend for athletes from London Heathside Running Club following last weekend’s draining marathon. 

Among the top performers was Philip Bentley who finished fifth in the Bungay 10k road race on Good Friday with a time of 37m 15s. 

Meanwhile in the Finsbury Park 5k race Louise Waldman was the first woman home when she finished in 21m 48s to take 16th place overall.