Report by Scott MillsWith half a dozen big guns missing and counting no less than five rookies, it was sure to be difficult for the Bels to replicate last year's top 10 ranking at the ERRA National 12-stage Road Relays. Still, from the tears of losing the race in the final yards in 2001 to back-to-back wins after that, this team left everything out on the course to record a respectable 25th place finish.Led out by the ferocious Paskar Owor, the Bels got off to a flying start as the lion returned from an outstanding first leg in 9th place. Stephen Gardner, primed and aching to race after an entire season of injury troubles, took the baton to race the first short leg of the day. Grinning from ear to ear as his teammates took photos of him bolting up one of the course's steeper hills, Steve wasn’t only ‘doing it for the 'gram’ as he recorded the our second quickest short leg of the day. What a comeback!Next to toe the line was Matt Welsh who immediately made it painfully obvious that he had been consuming his sacred pre-race oats in the glow of Eliud Kipchoge videos. He conquered his hate of hills to claim an impressive time of 28:35.  Another one to have lost most of the previous year to injury was Gus Upton. Last year's skipper traveled to Sutton hellbent on keeping up his four-year intra-club winning streak over the short stage. A springy 16:48 did the trick. The ever-reliable Nick Bundle started his leg in 23rd but despite his best efforts and a 29:01 clocking, he had to surrender two spots.In his 17th year of gracing the hallowed National Road Relay course at Sutton Coldfield, the Cockerpillar had seen it all from an event that had presented him with some of the best days in his career but also some of his worst. Although slightly disappointed with his time, it was a valiant effort from Will given the toughness of the course and the increasingly hot temperatures he was faced with running in.Dan Wallis gracefully swapped his Nike Pro kit for a Belgrave vest to produce an outstanding long leg - just enough to kick the Bels a few places higher up in the standings. As this was his final tune-up before the London Marathon, we couldn't help but feel a little sorry for whoever had to face him over the 26Mi course.From one marathoner to another, the next leg went to Patrick McDougall who maintained a good position for the Bels before handing over to honorary Kenyan Andy Fyfe. In an eery case of déjà-vu Kipfyfe recorded the exact same time as Matt.Scott Mills once again proved he is one of the engine room's gutsiest prospects as he tackled the lonely ‘graveyard shift’ after a week of illness, serenaded by Mariah Carey's best-of hits blasted by the local ice-cream van. Skipper Ed Auden saw off the day's final long stage and handed the closing chapter to rooky Will Johnson. The pair did a formidable job in the blistering heat and secured a 25th place for the claret and gold squad.As if the drama of the race wasn't enough, Matt was called to the officials' tent halfway through the proceedings. Apparently, they had received a complaint regarding the different shades of claret of our vests. Hold on tight, folks. This scandal is one we are sure to read about in the history books. Results:

1. Tonbridge AC 4:18:24, 2. Highgate 4:18:56, 3. Swansea Harriers 4:19:42, ..., 25. Belgrave Harriers 4:36:25

P. Owor 26:42, S. Gardner 17:05, M. Welsh 28:35, G. Upton 16:48, N. Bundle 29:01, W. Cockerell 17:59, D. Wallis 26:35, P. McDougall 17:57, A. Fyfe 28:35, S. Mills 19:05, E. Auden 29:35, W. Johnson 18:27