The first of four rounds in the Isle of Man Cross-Country League takes place at Castle Rushen High School in Castletown on Sunday afternoon.

This round of the Law Trust-sponsored series is organised by Manx Harriers and the first race will get underway at 2pm.

The course is on agricultural land alongside the school which is fairly flat. The senior races will be run over slightly reduced distances for this round, with mileages increasing later in the season.

The senior, veteran and junior men’s race will be over three full laps of the course, a distance of approximately 8.5 kilometres. The senior, veteran and junior women, plus under-17 men, will race over two full laps, appx 5.7km. Fuller details, entry forms and a course map is on Isle of Man Athletics website www.iomathletics.com and the IoM Athletics Facebook page. The minimum age is seven.

The second of two pre-race registration sessions takes place on Friday from 6pm to 8pm in Manx Harriers’s clubhouse on the NSC roadway. Registration will also be available at Castle Rushen HS on Sunday from 1pm to 2pm, but athletes are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the Friday session to save time on race day. Full season packages are available for a slightly reduced cost.

Last season saw record entries for a four-race season, and bumper entry levels are expected again as well as fast and exciting racing. There is quality in depth throughout the age groups and there should be some excellent competition all through the season.

Timetable and distances are as follows: 1pm - Course open for inspection; 1pm until 2pm - Registration; 2pm - Under-nine boys, 800 metres (one short lap); 2.05pm - Under-nine girls, 800m (one short lap); 2.10pm - Under 11 boys, 1,550m (two short laps); 2.20pm - under-11 girls, 1,550m (two short laps); 2.30pm - under-13 boys and girls, u15 girls, 2,780m (one full lap); 2.32pm - u15 boys, u17 girls, Short Course, 3,580m (one short lap, one full lap); 3pm - junior, senior, veteran women, u17 men, 5,710m (two full laps); 3pm - junior, senior, veteran men, 8,440m (three full laps).

l Competitors are urged to report to the start line at least five minutes before the scheduled start time of their race. Spectators please keep off the racing line and obey instructions from marshals.