HIGHGATE Harriers improved on last year’s performance when they finished 21st of the 80 clubs that contested the national six-stage road relay at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.

The finish was all the more creditable as they were hampered by the absence of Ben Pochee, who was ill, and were further inconvenienced by an injury to Ben Noad who did well to record a fast time, despite damaging a hamstring during the race.

Harriers had finished third last year, and this year ended up ahead of the likes of Woodford Green, Blackheath Harriers, Gateshead, Lincoln Wellington and Liverpool Harriers & AC.

David Bruce clocked the fastest time for Highgate when he was timed at 18 minutes and 10 seconds. Noad was timed at 18:18 and good times were also recorded by Dale Bickham (18:30), Henry Dodwell (18:31), Glenn Saqui (18:17) and Ryan McKinlay (18:21).

Elsewhere, several Harriers took part in the Cardiff City Marathon, which was run ‘under-distance’ after a small section was missed out by the organisers.

First home for Highgate in 14th place was Richard Scott in 68:26. Shaun Dixon (69:54) was 17th and over-40 runner Baard Lynges ran round in 78:44.

Becky Penty (pictured) was the second woman in the Cabbage Patch 10miles road race at Twickenham on Sunday in 56.10. Ester Evans was ninth in 59.18.

Andrew Aitken was 36th in 56:53.

Across the channel, Highgate’s Damian Shirley completed Sunday’s Amsterdam marathon in 2:51:44.

Harriers are set to feature in a number of upcoming events. First up is the Liddiard Cup cross country race at Kingsbury. Next weekend they contest the North London cross country Championships and the North-west London League at Trent Park.