The inclusion of Phil Wicks will boost Belgrave Harriers’ hopes of regaining the South of England senior men’s six stage title at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot, on Sunday.

Cobham-based Wicks was second UK runner at last Sunday’s Great North Run half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields, clocking his second best time over the distance of one hour, four minutes, nine seconds.

Belgrave, winners of the South of England title six times between 2002 and 2008, were crowned this year’s Surrey champions at Wimbledon a fortnight ago.

Paskar Owor, who posted the fastest time of the day in anchoring Belgrave to victory, is the only one of the six to make the team for Aldershot.

Wicks, who ran the anchor leg in last year’s South of England event, will be joined by two other members of Belgrave’s silver-medal winning team on Sunday in the shape of fellow internationals Steve Sharp and Nick Goolab.

Meanwhile, Wicks’ new wife Emily runs for Aldershot who are hot favourites to successfully defend their women’s four-stage road relay title.

Belgrave are likely to provide a touch challenge to Herne Hill Harriers’ defence of the veterans’ over-40 title, having lifted the Surrey title at Wimbledon Park, with Herne Hill fifth.

Stragglers, runners-up at Wimbledon, are also in action at Aldershot where Thames Hare & Hounds took the over-40 silver medals last year.

The strongest chance of a Thames team medal is likely to be in the women’s veteran event. They were anchored to victory at the Surrey Championships by Irish Olympic runner Sonia O’Sullivan but only finished eighth in Aldershot last year.

Herne Hill, St Mary’s Richmond and Sutton & District will be fielding teams in the young athletes’ relays tomorrow. Herne Hill were fourth in the U13 event last year.

Hercules Wimbledon, Epsom & Ewell, Serpentine and Walton also field teams at the two-day event at Aldershot.