Reigning champions Belgrave Harriers took silver in this year’s English six-stage road relay finals at Sutton Park.
In doing so they finished ahead of Aldershot, Farnham & District, who pipped them to the South of England title at Aldershot last month.
Belgrave made a solid enough start as team captain Steve Sharp brought them in 11th in 17 minutes 28 seconds, 18 seconds behind the leaders.
Nick Goolab (17:35), the reigning English junior cross country champion, moved up to eighth, with eventual winners Newham & Essex Beagles, 19 seconds ahead.
Despite the slowest time of the six-strong team, Simon Jones (17:43) lifted Belgrave into third place some 50 seconds behind the leaders.
Daniel Mulhare (17:37) slipped to fifth before Phil Wicks (17:09), with the fastest Belgrave time of the day and eighth best overall, stormed through to second place.
With more than a minute to make up on the leaders, Neil Speaight (17:22) kept Belgrave in silver-medal position with the club’s second best time of the day.
Teams: 1 Newham & Essex Beagles 1:43:14; 2 Belgrave (holders) 1:44:54; 3 Aldershot, Farnham & District 1:45:05.
First leg runner Steve Davies (17:37) was the fastest runner for Belgrave’s B team, who finished 29th (1:51:10).
Herne Hill were 35th (1:53:21), with second leg runner Chris Busaileh (18:25) their leading runner..
St Mary’s, Twickenham, student Steph Twell (14:00) put Aldershot, Farnham & District on the winning road in the women’s four-stage championship. She moved from eighth place into the lead on the second leg.
Teams: 1 Aldershot, Farnham & District (holders) 57:09; 2 Chester-le-Street 58:17; 3 City of Norwich 58:53.
First leg runner Zoe Vail (16:15) was the fastest member of the Belgrave team which finished 49th (1:10:11).
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