DARRELL Bellinger retained his senior men’s title in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Cross Country Championships at Swinley Forest, Bracknell.

But the Oxford City athlete had to be content with second place overall in a race won by under 20 runner Scott Halsted (Bracknell).

Despite the size of the forest, the course was restricted to a flat 1.34-mile loop, with the men’s race taking in five laps for a 6.7-mile total.

Bellinger clocked 35mins 35secs to Halsted’s 35.16.

With Aaron Burgess (36.33) and Les Newell (36.53), who came seventh and tenth respectively, plus Marcus Maxwell (38.57), Steve Copley (39.03) and Ryan Meredith (39.31), Oxford finished second in the men’s team event.

City were initially told they had won the inaugural veteran men’s team title due to an error with the results.

However, their line-up of Maxwell, Steve Winter (40.33) and Rob Webster (40.41) ended up second in that event too.

Headington Road Runners were third thanks to Fergus Campbell (39.05), Mark Richards (41.18) and Andy Phelps (41.49).

White Horse Harriers’ Stuart Ansell (38.36) was the third veteran man.

Aine Lyng (Headington) was the leading Oxon runner in the ladies’ race over three laps, clocking 25.47 for fifth place.

Oxford’s Sarah Davies was eighth in 26.39.

Headington were the third veteran ladies’ team event, thanks to Adrienne Hopkins (27.26), Anita James (30.44) and Alison Barry (32.49).

Oxford enjoyed a one-two in the under 17 girls’ race, also over three laps.

Megan Humphreys took victory in 24.38, with Marnie Wilson second in 25.21, while White Horse Harriers Josie Harrison was eighth in 27.10.

White Horse’s Ben Claridge (22.18) was seventh in the under 17 boys’ race.

In the under 13 girls’ event, Oxford’s Amber Morris recorded 13.17 for ninth.

Abingdon’s Nick Wiltshire clocked 11.41 for fourth in the under 13 boys’ race.