Belgrave Harriers surrendered their South of England six-stage road relay title to hosts Aldershot, Farnham & District at Rushmoor Arena on Sunday.

Although Belgrave briefly led when James Kelly went to the front on the second leg, he was overhauled by Aldershot’s Ben Lindsay and the Hampshire club stayed in front to the end, finishing more than a minute clear.

It suggests Belgrave face an uphill battle to retain their national title at Sutton Coldfield on October 17.

“It is only the club’s second defeat in this race in the past eight years,” said team manager Alan Mead.

“We will need to raise our game if we are to retain our national title.”

Tooting policeman Ben Whitby brought the Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow team in ahead at the end of the opening 6km lap in 17 minutes, 52 seconds, with Neil Speaight second for Belgrave 11 seconds later.

Lindsay (18:14), a student at St Mary’s, Twickenham, took Aldershot into a 19-second lead on the second leg after taking over in fourth place, 29 seconds behind the leaders.

Kelly (18:51) brought Belgrave home in second.

Steve Sharp (18:29) lost three seconds on the leaders before English junior cross country champion Nick Goolab (18:35) pulled back nine seconds on leg four.

Aldershot then extended their lead by 40 seconds on the penultimate leg, which Belgrave’s Simon Jones completed in 18:47.

Belgrave trailed by 53 seconds going into the final leg and this proved too daunting a challenge for Phil Wicks.

However, he clocked the fastest time of the Belgrave sextet of 17:45, the third fastest of the day, but this was eclipsed by another St Mary’s student, Andy Vernon, the European U23 cross country silver medallist, who ran the anchor leg in 17:36, the second best time of the day to give Aldershot victory.

Another British international, Mike Skinner, the Kingston and Richmond schools competition manager, was fastest for Blackheath & Bromley, who finished fifth, with 18:09.

Twickenham-based Scott Overall ran the anchor leg in 18:14, the day’s 12th fastest time.

Teams:1 Aldershot, Farnham & District 1:49:28; 2 Belgrave (holders) 1:50:30; 3 Newham & Essex Beagles 1:50:54; 4 Bedford & County 1:52:25; 5 Blackheath & Bromley 1:53:58; 6 Thames Valley Harriers 1:54:02; 7 Woodford Green with Essex Ladies 1:55:06; 8 Aldershot, Farnham & District B 1:56:20; 9 Tonbridge 1:56:36; 10 Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow 1:56:48.

Nick Torry (18:11) and Daniel Mulhane (18:27) were the fastest members of the Serpentine and Belgrave B teams that finished 13th and 18th in 1:58:06 and 1:59:23.

Other local clubs and top runners: 21 Thames Hare & Hounds 1:59.41 (Julian Rendell 19.27), 26 Herne Hill Harriers 2:00.51 (Jeff Cunningham 19:25), 43 Hercules Wimbledon 2:05.55 (Mike Halman 20:23), 60 Hercules Wimbledon B 2:09.38 (Liam White 19.54), 62 Epsom & Ewell Harriers 2:11.00 (Will Clark 19.36), 67 Stragglers 2:12.02 (Ben Osborn 20:18), 77 Walton AC 2:25.09 (James Harvey 20:28).