Top girl's and boy's cross country teams and runners are expected to compete in the 14-team Canyon de Chelly Invite this Saturday in Chinle.

The girl's varsity race is scheduled for 11 a.m. The boy's varsity race follows at 11:30 a.m.

The girl's 2-mile middle school race begins at 8:30 a.m. The boy's 2-mile middle school race is scheduled for 9 a.m. The girl's 5K Open race is set for 10 a.m., followed by the boy's 5K Open race is set for 10 a.m. The boy's 5K Open race follows at 10:30 a.m.

The invite includes 12 Arizona high schools, one New Mexico school and one Utah school.

Arizona teams entered in this year's invite are Coconino, Ganado, Greyhills Academy, Holbrook, Many Farms, Kayenta Monument Valley (Arizona), Pinon, Red Mesa, Rock Point, Tuba City and Winslow.

The lone New Mexico school competing is Kirtland Central. Monument Valley (Utah) is participating in this year's invite.

In addition to featuring top girl's and boy's teams and runners, cross country fans are expected to pack the site of the invite, Market course. The course is located just north of the central stop light on the west side of Highway 191.

"We will run the same course that we have had for the last 10 years," said Chinle Athletic Director Shaun Martin. "The course is exactly 5K or 3.1 miles. The course is a great racer's course, combining a good mixture of hill, turns, sand, firm footing and all spectator friendly as 90 per cent of the course is viewable from the start to finish area."

Alicia Honyumptewa, formerly of Chinle, won last year's girl's varsity race in 19:21. Bowen Martin, formerly of Page, was last year's boy's varsity champion, with a 16:46 time. Honyumptewa and Martin have since graduated from high school.

The top 10 finisher's in the girl's and boy's varsity races receive a custom-made medallion. First and second place girl's and boy's varsity team finishers receive an award plaque.