For Balchin (21), an engineering student at the University of Canterbury, was attempting back-to-back victories but he did not expect to have to work as hard as he did.
The race was decided only in the final metres of the 10.4km event around Wingatui racecourse.
Balchin was in a group of six along with Peter Meffan (Caversham) who set the early pace.
This group began to spread midway through the second of four laps.
Balchin and Meffan were on each other's shoulder, going hammer and tongs, as the pace began to heat up.
Meffan had gained a slight edge entering the final lap and Balchin knew he had a race on his hands.
"Pete applied the pressure, and all I could do was keep it steady and do my best to stick with him," Balchin said afterwards.
As the pair entered the top of the Wingatui straight for the final time, the pace turned to a sprint and they matched it stride-for-stride all the way to the finishing chute.
Only in the shadow of the finishing banner did Meffan check his stride, which was just enough for Balchin to win by a nose.
The clock on the finish line separated the pair by 0.48sec and the official timekeeper stopped the clock on the two at 34min 37sec, 1min 24sec quicker than Balchin's winning time last year.
"I'd call that pretty much a draw," Balchin said.
"It would have to be one of the most epic races.
"When Pete applied pressure, I felt pretty average and had to hang on.
"It certainly wasn't as easy as last year."
For Meffan, who has just completed a six-week break from running because of a back sprain, the result put to rest a disappointing result in last year's event.
He put his ability to foot it with Balchin down to firmer underfoot conditions.
"I couldn't be happier with the result," Meffan said.
"I never mind losing to Daniel, he's such a good athlete."
Kerry Williams (Leith) won the event on four occasions between 1951 and 1957 and Pat Sidon (Caversham) 11 times between 1954 and 1967.
It was also a day of celebration for Mike Weddell, who coached the first three finishers, Balchin, Meffan and Bevan Stevens (Caversham). Stevens recorded 35min 55sec.
Ariki won the six-man team title for the eighth time this century, with its first six runners recording 53 points.
The open women's title was a more clear-cut affair. Shauna Pali (Hill City-University) was a convincing winner in 19min 54sec, from Sue Cuthbert (Ariki) 21min 22sec, and Megan Balchin (Leith) 21min 38sec.
Pali (18), becomes one of the youngest runners to win the senior women's title. Like Meffan, she has opted to contest the Australian National Cross-country in Adelaide late next month.
Junior titles were won by Jonah Smith (Caversham), and Emma Lloyd (Hill City-University).
