Richard Goodman became Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’ sixth ever Southern champion after he clinched victory at the Southern Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields on Saturday.

Competing in the senior men’s race, Goodman (Under-23) produced an assured run to claim victory in 49.57 which was 24 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

By becoming Southern champion, Goodman follows in the footsteps of former world record holder and Shaftesbury Barnet athlete David Bedford and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Julian Goater.

Goodman’s victory helped the Harriers’ senior side to a team gold medal. Also competing for the team were Glen Watts who was 13th, Richard Horton (Under-23) in 14th, Kojo Kyereme (V35) in 16th, Orlando Edwards (V35) in 34th and Daniel Watts who was 52nd.

Matt Grant won the Perseverance Cup which is awarded to the seventh finisher in the winning team.

The Under-17 men’s team of Jamal Lewis, Jamie Dee, Greg Cooke, Khalid Ali-Ahmed came third and claimed bronze medals while in the Senior Women’s race Rachel Felton and the team finished in fourth place.

The Under-13 Boys also finished in fourth place and did so without the services of their top runner, Jamie Harper, who was unwell.