PB Awards
England Athletics in partnership with the AAAs are pleased to announce the launch of the new PB Awards programme.
The PB Awards build on the great work established by the AAAs (Amateur Athletic Association) Graded Standards and provide an expanded programme, accessible to all.
The aims of the PB Awards are to provide an awards programme, which:
- Has a clear, progressive awards pathway
- Builds on the AAAs Graded Awards programme
- Reaches the greatest number of athletes accessing these awards
- Is inclusive and accessible to all
- Recognise and reward athlete’s personal bests
- Helps with athlete retention and recruitment
How do the new PB Awards fit into the sport?
The PB Awards are aimed at clubs and community providers supporting athletes from under-13 through to senior age groups.
In addition to the PB Awards, England Athletics will continue our work with the English Schools’ Athletics Association (ESAA) and Sportshall Athletics in promoting their awards to the relevant audience.
Set out below is the full Awards programme offered in athletics and how the awards work together to provide a complete awards pathway for our sport.
Image: The Awards Pathway from school to club and community.
What are the PB Awards?
The PB Awards are a series of awards, nine levels of progression per age group, which celebrate athletes reaching new ‘personal bests’ in all track and field events.
The PB Awards are aimed at athletes from under 13 through to senior age groups.
There are different award tables for every athletics event including combined events. They cover for each age group, for both male and female athletes aimed at the whole athletics community.
Image: Example of the PB Awards tables.
The Awards level in each event are linked throughout the age groups, providing a complete awards pathway for every athlete.
This allows athletes not only to see what it takes to reach the top level in their age group, but also what is required to reach the top senior level in the awards.
Image: Example of the overall pathway.
- Download the PB Awards tables for track events (PDF 628kB)
- Download the PB Awards tables for field events (PDF 629kB)
- Updated as of 21 February 2023 to include additional events
- Download the PB Awards tables for Marathon, Race Walking and Steeplechase (529kB)
The PB Awards are for everyone!
The Awards have been developed to provide progressive steps to help athletes move through the sport from club development level through to national level and beyond.
Through the expanded programme, we can celebrate and recognise everyone’s personal achievements.
A new series of Para Awards will be launched later in 2023, providing reward and recognition and a fully inclusive awards programme offer - the first of its kind for athletics in the UK.
There is also an Award programme which has been developed specifically aimed at our mass participation market, running 5k, 10k, half marathons and marathons, called the ‘Pathfinder’ Awards. See more information later in this section.
How have the PB Awards been developed
The awards have been developed using a combination of the AAAs Grades, combined with using World Athletics points progressions, the Power of 10 rankings, and logical standard progressions, to make the simplest possible pathway, which is accessible to all.
These Awards were then reviewed by a group of leading experts in each event group.
2023 will be used as a pilot year and at the end of this year, the tables will be reviewed as part of the wider programme to see if any adjustments are required.
Note: Although the original AAA Standards Scheme has now been incorporated into this new England Athletics PB Awards Scheme, badges are still available under the original scheme whilst stocks last.
What do athletes get?
When an athlete achieves any level of the PB Award they can purchase a certificate which recognises their achievement.
Image: Example of the PB Awards certificate
For 2023, we will only be providing certificates through the PB Awards and will use this year to consult with athletes and competition providers to see what other rewards they would like as part of this programme.
Further rewards will then be developed to offer for future years.
Where can I purchase a PB Awards certificate?
The PB Awards will be on sale at England Athletics championships, and clubs and competition providers can purchase packs of certificates to reward at competitions and events, via the England Athletics Marketing Hub.
- Competition providers can sell the PB Awards at their competitions, helping recognise and rewards every athlete’s achievement.
- Clubs can reward every athlete at their Club Awards night with the inclusion of the PB Awards.
How much does a PB Awards certificate cost?
The recommended sales price is £1.50 per certificate.
Athletics clubs, competition and event providers can purchase these certificates at a reduced rate, to help generate additional income to the club and competition /event development.’
What types of Awards are there?
Athletes can achieve PB Awards for each individual event, for each age group.
In addition, athletes can also achieve triathlon and quadrathlon awards.
- Athletes achieving a Triathlon Award must compete in one run, one jump and one throwing event to be eligible.
- Athletes achieving a Quadrathlon Award must compete in one sprint, one endurance, one jump and one throwing event to be eligible.
How do I know what award level an athlete has achieved for triathlon and quadrathlon?
The award score could not be simpler!
Each level achieved in an individual event, provides the same point score. i.e., Level 1 equals one point and Level 9 equals nine points.
For athletes achieving a Triathlon Award, simply add all three events together to see their overall score and then compare to the below table.
As an example, if all three individual levels / points add up to thirteen, the athlete would achieve a Level 5 Triathlon PB Award.
This is the same principle for the Quadrathlon.
Image: Example table for multi-discipline events
Promoting the PB Awards at your club or competition
Later this year, England Athletics will send all affiliated athletics clubs copies of the PB Awards posters and supporting information, so that they can share this with their members.
We will also send out some supporting information to competition providers wishing to use the PB Awards as part of their competition offer.
Additional posters will be available to purchase online through the England Athletics Marketing Hub.
Download
- PB Awards posters – Complete set of posters (PDF 5MB)
- PB Awards posters – Para athletes (PDF 3MB)
- PB Awards posters – Non-para athletes (PDF 3MB)
Pathfinder Award
Helping to celebrate major milestones in your running
The England Athletics Pathfinder Awards have been developed to help celebrate everyone reaching a major milestone in their running, whether it be a 5k or 10k Fun run, a parkrun or marathon. Running faster and reaching new heights is something everyone should be proud of, so why not celebrate and share this achievement through the Pathfinder Awards?
Why Pathfinder?
A Pathfinder is someone that explores new challenges, or who shows others a pathway. We believe through continuing to strive to new personal bests, you both grow yourself as a person (exploring new challenges of your own ability) and inspire others (showing them a pathway).
Linking with other awards
For those wishing to progress towards more formal athletics competition, the Pathfinder Awards connect with the England Athletics PB Awards, as shown in the tables below.
Image: Example Path Finder Awards table.
- Download the Pathfinder Awards tables (PDF 495kB)
Where can I purchase a Pathfinder Awards certificate?
The Pathfinder certificates can be purchased in packs by event and competition providers or via the England Athletics Marketing Hub.
Competition and event providers can sell the Pathfinder Awards at their events, helping recognise and reward every person’s achievement.
RunTogether groups can reward every athlete at their awards night with the inclusion of the Pathfinder Awards.
How much does a Pathfinder Award certificate cost?
The recommended sales price is £1.50 per certificate.
RunTogether groups, competition and event providers can purchase these certificates at a reduced rate, to help generate additional income to the group and competition /event development.
Promoting the Pathfinder Awards at RunTogether groups
Later this year, England Athletics will send all active RunTogether groups electronic copies of the Pathfinder Awards poster and supporting information, so that they can share this with their members.
We will also send out some supporting information to competition and event providers wishing to use the Pathfinder Awards as part of their offer.
Additional posters will be available to purchase online through the England Athletics Marketing Hub.
Download
- Pathfinder Awards poster (494kB)
Visit the Marketing Hub
Purchase packs of certificates to reward at competitions and events via the England Athletics Marketing Hub.