Deloitte and Touche Relay -- are hoping an appeal to the Island's schoolchildren will boost entries.

Just three school teams entered the event a year ago, but race director Pat O'Brien believes that number will be greatly increased when the field lines up at the US Naval Base in St. David's on Sunday morning (10.00).

All of the Island's secondary schools have been contacted and an annual trophy put up for the respective boys and girls' winning teams.

A total of 38 teams took part in the event last year, held at the Southampton Naval Annex, but O'Brien hopes to see as many as 60 at Sunday's new venue.

Already two strong teams have confirmed their entries -- the all-male firefighter foursome of Steven Caines, Colin Swan, Roger Dill and Manuel Lopes and the mixed quartet of Karen Adams, Maria Conroy Haydon, Jeremy Ball and Harry Patchett.

A year ago the overall title was claimed by Jamal Hart, Michael Donawa, Colin Swan and Tracy Wright in 59 minutes, 48 seconds.

The women's event was won by Melanie Claude, Debbie Butterfield, Christine Campbell and Jane Christie, and the mixed event by Maria Conroy Haydon, Sandra Mewett, Harry Patchett and Manuel Lopes.

Sunday's course is a three mile loop which each runner will complete once.