The Highgate Harriers’ Night of the 10,000m PBs will return to the City of London Corporation’s Parliament Hill athletics track on 14 May.

Elite runners from across the world will compete alongside Great Britain’s best at one of London’s most loved open spaces, creating a spectacular multi-race night on Hampstead Heath.

The event will incorporate the British Championships, the trials for the world championships in the USA, and Team GB trials for the European 10,000m Cup in France.

It will also serve as a performance platform for athletes looking for Commonwealth Games and European Championships selection.

Previous British Champion and multiple Olympian Steph Twell and fellow Olympian Eilish McColgan are due to return, and alongside leading men’s entrants, they will be hoping to qualify for the 2022 World Championships.

The event is not-for-profit and free for the public to watch. This is made possible by volunteers from Highgate Harriers in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

Spectators are encouraged to come along and enjoy the inspiring event which will feature high quality races against a backdrop of music and entertainment.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Anne Fairweather, said:

“The atmosphere at this event is going to be electric, with huge support from the crowds for our athletes.

“I hope the local community come along to enjoy what has become one of the biggest events in the annual calendar for the Heath.

“Supporting sport on the Heath has never been more important as we come out of the pandemic.

“This will be a fantastic day for runners, spectators and aspiring athletes– and we couldn’t be more pleased to be the hosts.”

The Night of 10,000m PB’s Event Director Ben Pochee said:

“We are looking forward to another 25-lap party and this year promises to be better than ever.

“Post pandemic we can’t wait to welcome back the nation’s best runners, the grassroots athletic network and our local community to celebrate a truly social and accessible sport.

“Working alongside our partners the City of London Corporation we offer 100% free spectator engagement and a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of athletes”

For more information about the event, visit https://www.nightofthe10kpbs.com/

The event contributes to the delivery of the City Corporation’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy which promotes the health, social and economic benefits of sport and physical activity.

The City Corporation recently announced that the Parliament Hill athletics track will soon undergo a significant refurbishment ahead of the event.  

The improvement works will include the reconstruction of the athletics track running surface, and associated works, such as floodlighting. 

Over the years great names such as Olympic, World and European 5000-10,000m champion Mo Farah, double European Cross Country Championships winner Hayley Yelling and European Athletics Championships silver medallist Andy Vernon, have won Championships at Parliament Hill. The famous uphill start makes a compelling watch as a flurry of athletes fight for position on one of the toughest courses in the country.

Hampstead Heath is a registered charity, funded by revenue generated through services, grants, donations and over £6m a year from the City Corporation.

The City Corporation protects over 11,000 acres of open space in London and south east England – including Epping Forest and Burnham Beeches - and over 200 smaller sites in the Square Mile, investing over £38m a year.

These green spaces, most of which are charitable trusts, are run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve. They include important wildlife habitats, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and National Nature Reserves. They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

Highgate Harriers is a community athletics club that welcomes all members, established in 1879 the club has been at the forefront of British athletics for over 100 years. If you would like to join as an active member or volunteer/official/coach please see https://www.highgateharriers.org.uk/

ENDS

Kristina Drake| Media Officer, Public Services

City of London Corporation

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/newsroom

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

M: 07710860884