The quest for the OHSAA State Cross Country Championship officially begins on Saturday.

Area harriers will look to take the first step toward reaching the National Trail Raceway in Hebron on Nov. 3 at Cambridge High School as the Eastern District Championship meet commences.

The meet will consist of four races. Division II boys and girls and Division III boys and girls. The Division III boys will kick things off at 11 a.m. The races will begin every 45 minutes.

Qualifiers from Cambridge will advance to the regional meet at Pickerington North High School on Oct. 27.

The number of teams and/or individuals to advance varies based on division.

For instance, in Division III, only two girls teams and any individual in the top eight will advance.

In Division II, seven girls teams and any individual not on a qualifying team inside the top 28 will earn the right to run again.

On the boys’ side, three teams and any individual not on a team in the top 12 will also survive.

Meanwhile, six Division II boys teams and 24 individuals will have another week of training lying ahead.

The Division II girls field consists of Barnesville, Beaver, Buckeye Local, Cambridge, Carrollton, Claymont, Dover, East Liverpool, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Indian Valley, John Glenn, Martins Ferry, Maysville, Meadowbrook, Minerva, Morgan, New Philadelphia, Philo, River View, Sandy Valley, St. Clairsville, Steubenville, Tuscarawas Valley, West Holmes, West Muskingum and Zanesville.

The Division II boys field includes: Beaver, Bellaire, Buckeye Local, Cambridge, Carrollton, Claymont, East Liverpool, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Indian Valley, John Glenn, Martins Ferry, Maysville, Meadowbrook, Minerva, Morgan, Philo, Ridgewood, River View, Sandy Valley, St. Clairsville, Steubenville, Tuscarawas Valley, Union Local, West Holmes and West Muskingum.

The Division III girls field consists of Beallsville, Bishop Rosecrans. Bridgeport, Buckeye Trail, Caldwell, Catholic Central, Conotton Valley, Coshocton, Fort Frye, Garaway,

Malvern, Newcomerstown, Ridgewood, River, Shadyside, Shenandoah, Strasburg-Franklin and Union Local.

The Division III boys schools are Barnesville, Beallsville, Bishop Rosecrans. Bridgeport, Buckeye Trail, Caldwell, Catholic Central, Conotton Valley, Fort Frye, Garaway, Hiland, Malvern, Newcomerstown, River, Shadyside, Shenandoah, Strasburg-Franklin, Tuscarawas Central Catholic.