Knole Run Win

The first ever Highgate girls' team to compete at the senior Knole Run wasted no time in making their mark on the competition, winning by the narrowest of margins as all 4 Highgate athletes finished in the top 16 of the field of 96.

Having won a silver at the junior Knole Run in December, Sophia Parvizi-Wayne was familiar with the demanding course and led Highgate home, finishing in 7th place, an outstanding achievement for a Y7.

Florence Bryant in Y12 put her injury problems behind her to bravely hang on for 12th whilst Y9s Molly Patch and Emmy Yatagai battled it out for 14th and 16th places respectively. 

The quartet were presented with their winners' medals and shield by Headmistress of Sevenoaks Katy Ricks, formerly Deputy Head at Highgate.

The presentation ceremony was however far from a relaxed affair following the annoucement that Oundle School's team had scored 49 points - the exact same score as Highgate! Highgate were however awarded 1st place on the basis of their 4th and final scorer (Emmy Yatagai) finishing just in front of Oundle's 4th scorer. Another reminder that 'every man (or woman!) counts' in cross-country.

The degree of good fortune surrounding the girls' victory was replaced by misfortune for the boys' team as both Hugh Lindsey and James McIndoe lost their running spikes in their crush at the start of the race, effectively ruling out their chances of a top 100 finish as hoped.

Then Highgate's leading runner Luke Ames Blackaby, who had recorded a comfortable U19 win at Harrow the previous weekend, was forced to pull out of the 6 mile race temporarily with a recurrance of his breathing difficulties. 

However, there were great performances from Asher Brooks and Y10 athlete Archie Patch, solid runs from Alex Herron and newcomer Josh Channon and a brave effort from Michael Allan-Dan, who had been a serious injury concern prior to the race.

With all but one of the squad eligible for next year as well as some excellent juniors coming through, planning will start early for an assault on the top 5!

Thanks to the Head Master and to Ben Weston for their help and support on the day.

GDC

Back to news stories