Understanding Age Groups in Athletics in the UK

Athletics differs from team sports like football and rugby in how age groups are structured. While team sports often use single-year age groups (e.g., U11, U12, U13), athletics employs a slightly different system, which varies between track & field and cross country events. Let’s break it down:

Track & Field (Indoors & Outdoors) and Race Walking Age Groups

• U13 Boys & Girls (School Years 6 and 7)
  • Age 11 or 12 on 31st August within the competition year.
• U15 Boys & Girls (School Years 8 and 9)
  • Age 13 or 14 on 31st August within the competition year.
• U17 Men & Women (School Years 10 and 11)
  • Age 15 or 16 on 31st August within the competition year.
• U20 Men & Women
  • Internationally, athletes aged 18 or 19 on 31st December of the competition year. In the UK, athletes join this age group the year after they leave school/college (year 12), so some athletes will still be 17.
• Under 18 Men & Women (Recognized for International Competition Only)
  • Any athlete aged 16 or 17 on 31st December of the competition year.

Cross Country and Road Age Groups

• U13 Boys & Girls (School Years 7 and 8)
  • Age 11 or 12 on 31st August prior to the commencement of the competition year.
• U15 Boys & Girls (School Years 9 and 10)
  • Age 13 or 14 on 31st August prior to the commencement of the competition year.
• U17 Men & Women (School Years 11 and 12)
  • Age 15 or 16 on 31st August prior to the commencement of the competition year.
• U20 Men & Women
  • Age 17, 18, or 19 on 31st August prior to the commencement of the competition year.
• Senior Men & Women
  • Must be aged at least 20 on 31st August prior to the commencement of the competition year.

Note: Age groups are determined based on the athlete’s age as of specific dates within the competition year.

Understanding age groups in athletics is essential for athletes, coaches, and parents alike. It ensures fair competition and proper categorisation of participants based on their age and development level.