England Age Group Masters teams and races
About our Masters programme
England Athletics recognises that a significant amount of the membership of road running clubs is made up of runners aged over thirty-five years. The Age Group Masters competition programme recognises and rewards the significant contribution that these runners make to our sport.
Through an annual rolling programme of qualifying events and representative opportunities we provide Masters runners with a friendly competition format and the chance to earn themselves an England Age Group Masters vest.
Coming up: Masters Endurance training day at St Ives (Cambs) on 8 February 2026. Find out more
Masters Programme qualifying and representative trail and road races
You should enter the actual race through the normal entry procedure on the race organiser's website and then register as a master with England Athletics through our online entry form on Roster Athletics.
Athletes must achieve a relevant qualification standard at the qualifying race or within three calendar months prior to the date of this race.
In order to be eligible for qualification you MUST register your intention to qualify in advance of the race using the Roster Athletics entry system. Retrospective registrations are not possible.
- Go to races for 2025-2026
- View England Age Group Masters team standards
- View Age Group Masters Road Competitions 2025-26: Guide for Masters Athletes (PDF 320kB)
Please note as well as finishing in the top 3 of a qualifying race, athletes must achieve a relevant qualification standard at the qualifying race or within three calendar months prior to the date of the race.
Hear from Masters Road Running Coordinator, Chris Hollinshead, about how you can qualify to represent England:
Representative road races for 2025-2026
Masters 3000m (on the track)
New for 2026: England v Wales 3000 metres on the athletics track. Details will follow in the New Year.
Masters 10k
Representative International Race for 2025-2026: Bideford 10k (10 May 2026)
Qualification race opportunities were: 2025 AJ Bell Birmingham Great Run 10k | 2025 Bideford 10k | 2025 Green Park Reading 10k | 2025 Brighton 10k, plus upcoming:
- 2026 Keith Hall 10k (22 March 2026) | register for Keith Hall 10k as a Master
(unprecendented registration numbers so now full, sorry).
Masters Half Marathon
Representative International Race for 2025-2026 Swansea Half Marathon (7 June 2026)
Qualification race opportunities were: 2025 Farnborough Half Marathon | 2025 AJ Bell Great Bristol Run (Half Marathon) | 2025 ESSAR Chester Half Marathon | 2025 Worcester City Half Marathon | 2025 Redcar Running Festival - Half Marathon
Masters Marathon
The masters marathon is moving from the traditional slot in October to April and will be hosted as part of the Manchester Marathon on 19 April 2026. Because of this, there is insufficient time to get the usual 5 qualification races in. On that basis we are keeping the two races in October 2025 in Chester and York, and for this year only will be selecting the reminder of the team from expressions of interest. Closing date for applications was 15 November 2025.
Representative International Race for 2025-2026: Manchester Marathon (19 April 2026)
Representative road and trail races for 2026-2027
Masters Trail
Representative International Race for 2026-2027: Forest of Dean Autumn Trail Race (27 September 2026)
Qualification race :
- 2026 Forest of Dean Spring Trails Race (22 March 2026) - register for Forest of Dean as a Master
This is the only trail qualifying race. The top 6 finishers in each age group will qualify for the representative trail race.
Masters 5k
Representative International Race 2026: Shrewsbury (11 July 2026)
Details on how to apply will be published in Spring 2026.
Masters 10k
Representative International Race for 2027 (TBC)
Qualification race opportunities
- Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k (7 June) - race registation | register for Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k as a Master
- AJ Bell Great North 10k (5 July) - register for Great North 10k as a Master
- Ipswich Twilight 10k (17 July) - register for Ipswich 10k as a Master
Masters Half Marathon
Representative International Race for 2027 (TBC)
Qualification race opportunities
- Farnborough Half Marathon (8 February 2026) - register for Farnborough Half Marathon as a Master
- Wilmslow Half Marathon (22 March 2026) - register for Wilmslow Half Marathon as a Master
- ESSAR Chester Half Marathon (17 May 2026) - register for Chester Half Marathon as a master
Masters Marathon
Representative International Race for 2026-2027 (TBC)
Qualification race opportunities
- Milton Keynes Marathon (4 May 2026) - register for Milton Keynes Marathon as a Master
- Manchester Marathon (19 April 2026 ) - register for Manchester Marathon as a Master
- London Marathon (26 April 2026) - register for London Marathon as a Master
- MBNA Chester Marathon (11 October 2026) - register for Chester Marathon as a Master