After producing one of his best ever performances Keith Gerrard has been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2008 European Cross Country Championships in Belgium.
His fourth place in the UK Cross Challenge event at Sefton Park in Liverpool at the weekend would normally earn him a place in the senior men's team.
But after discussion with the GB team selectors both he and race winner Andy Vernon will join the under-23 team to help in the defence of their 2007 team gold medal.
With just 200 metres to go Gerrard was left to battle it out with Vernon, Frank Tickner and Lee Merrien and as they crossed the line only three seconds separated the four athletes.
Other strong local performances at the event came from sisters Gemma and Katie Astin.
Gemma was 17th in the under-17 ladies' race while Katie came sixth in the under-11 girls'
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