England Athletics Age Group and Junior Para Championships 2026, powered by Citroën, return this weekend
England’s first championships using the new age groups takes place in Bedford, this weekend. It promises to be an exciting, record-breaking weekend as the newly created U18s and U16s go head to head in a packed programme that features a whole host of recently crowned European and English Schools’ champions. And for many, it’s the start of an athletics journey that will take them to the very top.
“As Team England prepare on the eve of their moment in the sun on the track and in the field at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, it seems timely that our sports superstars of tomorrow compete for medals in Bedford. Many of the athletes competing in Glasgow would have enjoyed participation in our age group champs on route to senior success and I hope the feats of Amber Anning, Dan Greaves, Thomas Young, Katarina Johnson Thompson and Georgina Hunter Bell serve to inspire our young athletes as they continue their progress through our pathway,” said Chris Jones, CEO of England Athletics.
“I’d also like to thank the volunteers, particularly our technical officials for their continue hard work and dedication to our sports and to our hosts, GLL and Bedford BC,” he added.
U18
Four recently crowned European U18 champions head up a superb entry right across the full range of events. Moyo Stumpenhausen (Coach: Gary Herrington, Club: Rugby and Northampton) will start as an overwhelming favourite in the discus thanks to an incredible third-round throw in Rieti. His 64.92 was not only a CBP, it was also a new British record. “I knew it was a very good throw,” he said. “What I like about discus are moments when you come from behind, knowing you have it in your hands to win. Being European champion – that sounds great!”
Meanwhile, Samuel James (James Wild, Kingston AC ad Pol Harriers) was also in record-breaking form, winning the high jump in 2.25, fully 16cm better than he’s jumped before and a world leading mark. More significantly it is also a British record-equalling jump. “The U18 record was 2.18 so I went for that. Clearing all these heights is the best ever feeling. Plus doing it as such a big event representing my country is simply amazing,” he told European Athletics after his victory.
Lucy Bull (Carolyn Franks, Cheltenham and County) will be looking to add an England javelin title to her European crown she won last weekend. She improved her lifetime best by 2.57m to 56.60 to win the gold medal in Rieti. “I only started focussing on javelin a couple of years ago,” she said. “I used to throw foam javelins quite far, and people were like ‘oh you should try normal javelins.’ So I just went to the athletics club and I tried all the events.”
And on the track, the recently crowned European U18 champion Divine Iheme (Nkiruka Iheme, Radley) leads the way in the 100 metres. He won that title with a CBP of 10.29, breaking the 16-year-old mark. “A championships record, a gold medal and first place are all you can ask.” He will start favourite, but such is the depth on show in this event, he’ll have to be at his very best as behind him Tyler Thompson (Enfield and Haringey) looking to improve on his 10.40 he ran in early May.
It’s a similar in the U18 women’s race. An in-depth field led by Chisom Elekwa (Glenys Morton, Leicester) with 11.74 will mean only the very fastest will prevail. Both promises to be a spectacular races and headline Saturday’s action.
Of course, pre-championships form never tells the full story as age group championships are notorious for providing shock results. However, that’s what it will take to beat Charlie Chambers (Mike Chambers, Basingstoke and Mid Hants) over 800 in the U18s. His 1:47.77 this season is far faster than any of his rivals, but it was Magnus Riddell (Peter Venus, Tynedale) who out-leaned him from the bronze in Rieti at the U18s.
Potentially the shot will be more cut and dried as Lawson Capes (Lewis Capes, Peterborough and Nene Valley) is in a class of his own. Already the U20 champion not to mention his win in the English Schools earlier this month, it would take something amazing to stop him winning yet another national title. In the women’s shot, Emilia Adese (John Hillier, Blackheath and Bromley) will be one to keep an eye on. She’s improved by two metres this season and has a very impressive 17.21 to her name not to mention a fourth in the U18 Europeans.
U16
Just like the older age group, it’s the sprints which promise to be nothing short of sensational such is the quality of those who have entered the championships. Honor Oteng (TJ Osai, BFTA), the English Schools’ champion over 100m leads the way with 11.74 while the 200 metres winner from the same meeting, Arya Williams (Michael Plummer, BRAT) looks like the one to watch thanks to her stunning 23.80 in Birmingham, fully half a second ahead of the chasing pack. In the boys’ short sprint, Piers Spencer-Simms (Blackheath and Bromley) leads the way with a stunning 10.53 (and a very windy) 10.30 but Alex Osagie (Paul Franklin, Woodford Green) will have something to say about where the gold medal heads thanks to an early season 10.72.
There’ll be an interesting battle over 800 metres as Masie Mullet (John Skevington, Wreake and Soar Valley), the fastest in the field with 2:05.43 takes on Capree Cooper (Andrew Fleming, Barnet), winner in Birmingham. And it’ll be those battles that feature all weekend long. On paper, Isabella Moulton (Tony Jarrett, Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) will be the one to watch in the 80 hurdles, but Juliette Callou (Craig Pounder, City of York) beat her in Birmingham. One thing is for sure, it’ll be fascinating. Kayden Thomas (Craig Andrew, Shaftesbury Barnet) also has a stand-out clocking in the boys’ 100 hurdles of 12.51, and he lines up as ESAA champion.
Look out too, for Mila Desborough (Bronwin Carter, Wimborne) who threw a CBP 46.36 in the javelin at the ESAA. She has actually gone further this season with 48.91. And of course, there’s Kendrick Onolememen (John Hillier, Cambridge Harriers) who has a monster 65.08 to his name in the discus this season along with a CBP 56.90 at the Schools.
Junior Para
The strength in depth increases with every year in this category. Macey Hand, F/T64 (Camilla Stewart, Wenlock Olympians) heads a strong looking long jump as well as the 100 metres. But Scotland’s Cara Murphy, T12 (Law and District) will be one to watch given her tremendous form this season. Maksymillian Malec, T20 (Tamworth) looks equally strong in the 100 and 200 metres, while Elliott Griffiths, F20 (Mike Holmes, Liverpool H) will be the stand-out long jumper thanks to his fantastic 6.53.