Age Categories for Competing
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Please note: Age categories changed in April 2026. More info can be found on England Athletics.
The current athletics ‘competition year’ runs from 1st October 2026 to 30th September 2027.
Within this, winter competition year runs 1st October 2026 to 31st March 2027, and the summer competition year runs 1st April 2027 to 30th September 2027.
Under 10 boys and girls
School year 4 | for winter road running, cross country and indoor track & field season 2026/2027
School year 4 | For summer track & field season 2027
Under 12 boys and girls
School years 5 and 6 | for winter road running, cross country and indoor track & field season 2026/2027
School years 5 and 6 | For summer track & field season 2027
Under 14 boys and girls
School years 7 and 8 | for winter road running, cross country and indoor track & field season 2026/2027
School years 7 and 8 | For summer track & field season 2027
Under 16 boys and girls
School years 9 and 10 | For winter road running, cross country and indoor track & field season 2026/2027
School years 9 and 10 | For summer track & field season 2027
Under 18 men and women
School years 11 and 12 | For winter road running, cross country and indoor track & field season 2026/2027
School years 11 and 12 | For summer track & field season 2027
NB: historically, England Athletics have always designated under 18’s as men and women, rather than boys and girls, even though they are still juniors.
Under 20’s men and women
- For the Winter Road, Cross Country, and Indoor Season (1st October 2026 – 31st December 2026): Anyone aged 17, 18, or 19 on 31st December 2026. (Athletes born in 2006, 2007, or 2008).
- For the Summer Track & Field and Indoor Season (1st January 2027 – 30th September 2027): Anyone aged 17, 18, or 19 on 31st December 2027. (Athletes born in 2007, 2008, or 2009).
Seniors
Athletes making the transition from juniors to seniors is a key event in their development and often follows athletes having had a great time training and competing as a junior. Representing your club for the first time as a senior is a proud moment and ahead lies a great future of being an athlete during what is regarded as an athlete’s peak years.
Seniors are men and women who are at least 20 as of 31st December 2026.
Masters
Masters are athletes who are at least 35 years of age on the day of competition.
NB: Under 10’s
UK Athletics rules do not specifically cater for athletes under the age of 10 years. This does not mean they cannot compete but if competition organisers put on events for under 10’s, the distances run are likely to be reduced and lighter implements will be used. (Under 10 athletes will mainly be in school years 3 and 4).