All have stepped up their training during the school holidays .

24 boys and 24 girls compete in eight separate age groups over 2km and 3km courses.

They gained selection through finishing in the first six in their respective age group races at June 13’s regional championships in Coolah.

The runners are from 29 different schools, with Narrabri (5), Quirindi (4), Narrabri West (3) and Tamworth South (3) primary schools gaining the most representatives.

The Tamworth zone qualified 12 runners, coach Mike Cashman said.

“We had five last year,” he said at a recent training  session.

“We’re really pleased with the result from Coolah and we also have a couple of reserves.”

The Tamworth zone runners include nine-year-old Kaydee Hernando (Moonbi) and 12-year-old Cameron Barber (Kootingal) who both managed to win their events at Coolah.

“They come from far and wide,”  Cashman said.

“We’ve got one runner from Ogunbil – Mikaela Bridge, she’s very promising – and Timbumburi’s Ella Constable too.”

Tomorrow’s  proceedings get underway with the walk-the-course at 8am, with secondary events also being conducted over 3km to 8km courses during the day.

Cashman said all runners would be striving to gain selection in the NSW team to participate in the Australian All Schools Championships to be held in Perth later this year.