Highgate Harriers achieved their best ever result in the men’s national six-stage road relay, coming second at Sutton Park near Birmingham.

The competition started in 1969 and Highgate’s previous best was a fifth-place finish in 1990, but they easily eclipsed that at the weekend – and the club’s B team was 34th out of the 80 qualifiers.

Robel Bahelbi led the A team off and finished his leg in 17 minutes 58 seconds with Highgate lying 19th, and Shaun Dixon then clocked 17:35 on an impressive second leg, handing over with the Harriers now in seventh place.

By the time Audun Nordtveit (17:34) ended the third leg Highgate were third, and Ben Noad (18:06) and Murray Strain (17:58) maintained that position before last man Danny Russell (18:14) grabbed the second spot.

The Harriers’ total time was 1:47:25, leaving them just behind the winners Aldershot & Farnham & District AC (1:46:48).

Highgate’s B team also enjoyed a strong display. David Bruce (18:23) was followed by Fergal Smithwick (19:17), Robert Wilson (18:54) and Brahma Pochee (19:42), with Darryl Davison (18:48) and Ryan McKinlay (18:52) running the last two legs.

That left the second string in the top half of the field, ahead of notable clubs such as Southampton, Gateshead, Liverpool, Herne Hill Harriers and Brighton & Hove AC.

Highgate now turn their attention to Saturday’s first Metropolitan League fixture at Claybury as they bid to win the title for the third time in a row.