LIVERPOOL Harrier John McCole claimed victory in the Liverpool & District Cross Country Championship at Clarkes Gardens. McCole raced home in 33 minutes 15 seconds with clubmate Richard Burney (33:33) in second place.

Talented junior Toby Loveridge of Liverpool Pembroke Sefton produced a fine run to take third in 34:07. The top six was completed by James Tartt (Southport 35:05), Paul Sankey (Liverpool RC 35:11) and Richard Blagg (Harriers 35:28).

Harriers took the overall title on 77 points with their team completed by Rob Dewhurst (11th), Glen Groves (12th) and Paul Owens (45th). They finished four points clear of LPS with Southport Waterloo (141pts) in third spot.

Loveridge enjoyed great support from LPS clubmates Jai Vernon-McGuigan (8th), Ian Roberts (14th), Mike Bride (15th), Rob Bland (20th) and Clark Roberts (21st).

With the average age of LPS’ team just 22 the future looks bright for the Edge Hill University-based club.

Southport’s team was depleted but as well as Tartt, Richard Shearer (seventh) and Steve Wilkinson (10th) also made the top 10.

Their other counters were Rob Ashworth (30th), David Gough (36th) and Rick Bowker (54th). St Helens Sutton were sixth overall with Barry Graney (38:04) their top performer in 29th place.

Wirral AC’s Sarah Kearney was the first woman home in 41:24 with Harriers’ Sarah Jarvis (42:28) in second place.

There was delight for Wirral AC’s Tarver sisters as they both won gold in the Merseyside Schools Cross Country Championships in Sefton Park.

Sophie took the junior girls title in 12:01 with Hanna cruising to victory in the combined inter and senior girls event in 13:14. A third gold for Wirral was secured by Molly Thomson (Year 7 girls, 7:39).

The dates have been confirmed for the 2011 Wavertree Mystery 5k road race series.

Races will take place on Tuesdays – May 3, June 14, July 5 and August 9 – and on Thursday, September 8 all starting at 7.15pm.