Oxford City’s Darrell Bellinger was crowned senior men’s champion at the 2010 Oxfordshire Cross Country Championships at Middleton Cheney, near Banbury, on Sunday.

The event, postponed from two weeks earlier due to the heavy snow, attracted a smaller field than the original date, but that took nothing away from Bellinger’s superb performance.

On an undulating 10km course, Bellinger took control from the starting gun to cross the line in 35mins 33secs – more than 30 seconds clear of White Horse Harriers’ Chris Gillespie, who clocked 36.08 for the runners-up slot.

Gillespie, though, led home White Horse Harriers to the men’s team victory.

Harriers scored 43 points to beat Woodstock Harriers by 30 points for the crown.

Abingdon Amblers also produced a good show, with Simon Fisher, Paul Fernandez and Oz Ellis finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Meanwhile, Frances Bri-scoe, running for first-claim club Coventry Godiva, posted a convincing win in the senior women’s race.

Briscoe clocked 27.35 on the seven kilometre course, easily seeing off the challenge of Headington Roadrunner He-len Barnes, who finished in 28.18.

The women’s team prize went to Oxford City, who were led home by Martha Lloyd, who clocked 30.39 for fourth place.

Pete Haarer (Ranelagh) won the vet 40 men’s crown in 36.28, while White Horse Harrier Tim Hughes landed the vet 50 prize in 40.29.

The vet 60 title went to Oxford City’s Dave Parsons, who clocked 45.56, and the team prize was won by Woodstock Harriers on 37 points.

In the women’s veteran categories, Adrienne Hopkins (Headington RR) recorded 31.08 to take the vet 35 title, while Ros Kelling (Banbury) took the vet 45 honours in 29.34.

Judith LeGood (Witney Roadrunners) claimed the prize in the vet 55 division, and Woodstock Harriers A saw off Witney Roadrunners in the team competition.