OXFORD City’s Darrell Bellinger was crowned overall and senior men’s champion, despite having to settle for second place in the final round of the season at Horspath on Sunday.

Bellinger took a convincing lead into the last race, which was held on a glorious spring morning around Shotover.

But despite that, he did not disappoint as he was involved in a thrilling tussle with Paul Fernandez from Abingdon Amblers.

Coming into the final 300 metres, Bellinger had his nose ahead of Abingdon’s Fernandez, only to be hauled back in an exciting finish which saw Fernandez overtake the new champion to win by two seconds in 30 mins 36 secs.

Fernandez’s victory helped him to a share of second place in the senior men’s standings – a position he shared with teammate Simon Fisher, who was third in the race.

It was a fitting finale to the season.

And there was double cause for celebration for Bellinger, as Oxford City cruised to the Division 1 team title by a massive margin of 343 points ahead of Headington Roadrunners.

In the women’s competition, Headington Roadrunners’ Helen Barnes finished with a flourish to wrap up the senior and overall titles.

Barnes cruised to victory in 24.10 – more than 30 seconds ahead of runner-up Kate Jacobs to secure both titles by a margin of nine points.

Barnes’s consistent performances throughout the season led the way as Headington won the Division 1 ladies’ crown by 134 points ahead of Newbury A.

In the veterans’ competition, Oxford City’s Steve Male took the crown by 31 points, while Swindon Harrier Brian Gardner won the vet 50 title.

Roy Treadwell (Oxford City) was crowned the vet 60 champion.

Banbury Harriers’ Julie Dixon took the vet 35 women’s crown by 17 points ahead of Team Kennet’s Sue Francis.

Her clubmate, Ros Kelling, was a convincing winner in the vet 45 category, while White Horse Harrier Sheila Bailey landed the vet 55 ladies’ crown.