Team Camden’s Under-13s Boys and Girls who competed in the crisp air on Parliament Hill Fields

GOLDEN boy Arjuna Pflug was among the fleet-footed athletes who descended on Hampstead Heath on Saturday to represent Team Camden in the 2024/25 London Youth Games.

Hundreds of young runners from across the capital flocked to Parliament Hill Fields to take part in the season-opener of Europe’s largest youth multi-sport event, which, as always, was the cross-country competition.

There was a real buzz in the crisp autumn air as Team Camden responded to being the hosts by entering the biggest squad they have ever assembled for a single event at the Games, with 82 youngsters competing across four different age groups – Under-11s, Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-17s.

The Under-17s Boys helped Camden finish seventh out of 33 London boroughs

Pflug led the charge from the front as he stormed to victory in the boys’ Under-15s race, completing the energy-sapping 3,000m course in nine minutes, 46 seconds.

“It’s good, it’s a nice feeling,” said the 14-year-old Highgate Harrier after taking first place out of a field of 186 finishers.

Arjuna Pflug

“The atmosphere was electric. It’s a good competition. I really enjoyed it. I knew from the start that I would win, there wasn’t any doubt.

“Obviously, I had to be careful because there were other strong runners and I didn’t want to take anything for granted.”

Harris Austin

Team Camden enjoyed further success courtesy of Filip Kounoupas Prastalo and Harris Austin, who both scooped silver medals in their respective age groups.

Filip Kounoupas Prastalo

Kounoupas Prastalo’s time of 7:09 over 2,000m was enough to earn him second place out of 233 finishers in the boys’ Under-13s race, while Austin clocked a time of 15:55 to take second place out of 147 finishers in the boys’ Under-17s race, which was staged over 4,500m.

Team Camden’s youngest athletes, the Under-11s Boys and Girls, at the season-opening Youth Games event

Meanwhile, in the girls’ races, Lizzie Wortsman put in one of Camden’s best performances to finish 23rd out of 91 runners in the Under-17s age category, completing the 3,000m course in 12:54. Teammate Josephine Luis (13.17) was 23 seconds further back in 28th.

Overall, Camden were seventh out of 33 London boroughs in the boys’ competition, and 15th out of 32 London boroughs in the girls’ event.

The borough’s Under-17s Girls were among the biggest squad Team Camden have ever assembled for a single event at the London Youth Games showpiece

Hosting the London Youth Games’ opening competition of the season every year is certainly a boon for the borough.

Mayor of Camden Samata Khatoon turned up to show her support for the showpiece and presented medals. She said: “This incredible event brought together over 1,900 young people from across the boroughs of London to compete in a spirit of inclusivity, showcasing their dedication, commitment, and passion for sport.

The Under-15s Boys were among 82 athletes competing for Team Camden

“A huge thank-you to everyone involved in making this event such a success. It was inspiring to see so many come together to celebrate the power of sports and community. To all the young people who participated – you are all winners! Your dedication is what truly makes a difference.

“A special congratulations to all the winners and a huge shoutout to Camden’s very own Arjuna Pflug.”

Team Camden’s Under-15s Girls were among runners from across the capital

• To find out more about all the sporting opportunities to represent Camden in 2025, email team manager Ben Dorsett at: Ben.Dorsett@camden.gov.uk