England Athletics notes the English Schools' Athletics Association’s (ESAA) decision to pause implementation of the new age groups effective from1 April 2026, pending a further review of the impact on schools’ athletics. ESAA have indicated that they intend to conduct this review during 2026.

England Athletics’ seven-strong Club Support team provides a valuable and comprehensive service to our clubs: engaging in two-way conversation; acting upon club feedback; providing support and guidance; and ensuring that our affiliated clubs are well-placed to grow and thrive. With visits to clubs including Retford Athletics Club, Macclesfield Harriers & Athletics Club, Dartford Harriers Athletics Club and Bristol & West Athletics Club, we were – as always – able to meet some of the many volunteers who help our clubs to function and thrive. We also attended the Track & Field County Championships, in Suffolk, Nottinghamshire, Middlesex, Cumbria and Warwickshire.

Chris Johnson has had a strong passion for running and athletics since childhood and is an active member of Blaydon Harrier & Athletics Club. His personal background includes middle/long-distance running as well as high jump and hurdles. Recently, he has re-discovered his passion for running, but has also discovered how much he enjoys coaching.

We are pleased to announce a strong team of 8 athletes that will represent England at the International U18 Mountain Running Cup next month. The picturesque resort of Donovaly in Slovakia will host the 18th edition of the event, where the world’s best young mountain runners will come together to race on a course 5.8km in distance with 513m of elevation gain.

The Nasego World Cup Mountain running weekend, held on 24-25 May, featured two races. Saturday saw the Vertical Nasego, which climbs 1000m over a distance of 4.2km, while Sunday was the classic Trofeo Nasego, a 21.5km up and down race. This weekend also incorporated a Six Nations competition, bringing together teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, and host nation Italy.

John Armour's journey as a Starter began because his son was competing. John is now a Level 2 official, and looking to his officiating future, he says he would love to keep on going and the ultimate goal is to be an official on the start of line of an international race.

England Athletics are pleased to announce the England team who will compete at the Pickering Memorial Throws International at Loughborough on 1 June. The team will be up against teams from Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Loughborough with some big stars from overseas too. The event is organised in conjunction with our charity partners Personal Best Foundation and the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund - and money from spectator tickets and raffle tickets will go 50/50 to those charities. Tickets are on sale through Eventbrite or at the gate. and the action kicks off at 9.30am.

Moira Gallagher is the Tri Regional Officials’ Group Upgrading Secretary for the North. She's a very experienced technical official, having initially qualified as a timekeeper and track official in the early 1970s, and was Meeting Manager at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. In her role as the TROG upgrading secretary for the North, Moira details below some advice to officials thinking about or are in the process of progressing to Level 3 or 4.

Team England and Wales athletes were bathed in glorious Shrewsbury sunshine at last Saturday’s Shrewsbury Festival of Running.  The event hosted the first Masters International of the season with the Masters 5k. On a closed 5 lap circuit the event hosted 3 age group races and it was a magnificent site to see the waves of red and white vests charging down the course. This event was also the first time that both England and Wales had entered development teams, comprised of athletes who had not previously represented their country.

Paj Valley has always had a love for athletics, which was the first sport that he really competed at during school. Paj moved to other sports but was pulled back to it because of his son who had equally found a love for it and is still competing. It was a natural progression to spread his knowledge by becoming an official.