THE JPS Eastern Cross Country Athletic Championship, marred by controversial rules last year, will take place this afternoon at St Mary High School, starting at 2:15.

Last year's event saw organisers misinterpret the rules set out by the International Associations of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and Glengoffe was adversely affected.

According to the Eastern Cross Country rules, six athletes make up a team and although only the top four score points, teams will be disqualified if any of their athletes who started fail to finish. Under the IAAF rules, once four athletes finish, the team secures its score.

Twelve teams, headed by Oberlin High, the defending champions, will take part in today's event.

Glengoffe, Islington, St Mary, Rivervale, St Mary Technical, Marymount, Buff Bay, St Mary's College, Glengoffe, St Thomas Technical and Seaforth High are the schools.

The categories will see senior boys competing over four miles, while the senior girls and junior boys and girls will run three miles.