Sefton's Pathway to National Glory
Sefton's primary schools boast a proud history of nurturing talented young runners who have showcased their skills on the biggest stages — from dominant county displays to national championship titles.
The Selection Pathway
Step 1
League to County Level
Children compete in the Sefton Primary Schools' Cross Country League throughout the season — five fixtures, four races a day, 33 schools and 600+ runners at every meeting (150+ finishers per race, top 60–65 individually timed). The top-performing individual runners and top team scorers earn selection for the Sefton District team.
Step 2
County Level
The Sefton team competes at the Merseyside County Championships and the Merseyside Cross Challenge, going head-to-head with the best primary athletes from Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Halton and St Helens. Sefton has finished among the top three districts for the past five years — and our boys took 2nd place at the 2025 British Cross Challenge.
Step 3
County to National Level
Based on finishing positions at county level, top Sefton runners are chosen to represent Merseyside at the National Primary Schools' Cross Country Championships — the biggest stage in school cross country.
Sefton's County Champions & Cross Challenge Winners
From the official Merseyside County Primary Schools Rolls of Honour 2019–2026
Merseyside County Championships
- Marcus LarkinYear 6 Boys Champion2025
- Alicia BaranowskaYear 6 Girls Champion2025
Merseyside Cross Challenge
- Lucy DelamereGirls Champion2022
- Marcus LarkinBoys Champion2024
- Alicia BaranowskaGirls Champion2024
Sefton on the National Stage
Last season, 26 Sefton athletes were selected to represent Merseyside across six teams at the National Primary Schools' Cross Country Championships — and every single one came home with a medal. Sefton's Nathan McQueen helped the Merseyside Year 4 boys to the national team title, and our runners starred throughout.
National team gold
The Merseyside squad — including Sefton's own runners — won the team title at the National Primary Schools' Cross Country Finals, Saturday 21 March 2026.
Five in the national Top 50
- Isla McAvoy (Aintree Davenhill)26th
- Lucas Duck (Holy Rosary)32nd
- Zac Rimmer (St Philip's)40th
- Nathan McQueen (St Edmund's & St Thomas')41st
- Sienna Rafferty (Holy Rosary)44th
Come and join in
Every national champion started on a school playing field. If your child or school wants to be part of Sefton's cross country story, or your business wants to back the pathway, we'd love to hear from you.