September 2026: Performance round up
Running has taken centre stage in September, with teams representing England on the roads, in the mountains and on the trails. There have been exceptional performances across all terrains. Catch up on the action in our September performance round up.
On the roads
Bute Park in Cardiff played host to a thrilling afternoon of racing at the Home Nations 5k as England’s athletes delivered a perfect sweep with four team podiums on a course that demanded both speed and skill. The senior England men’s and women’s teams secured team gold and silver in their respectively and not far behind the U20 teams excelled securing team bronze in both competitions.
Meanwhile, in London the Vitality Westminster Mile played host to the UK and England Athletics One Mile Road Championships. Cameron Boyek (Morpeth Harriers & AC) was crowned champion in the men's race after an impressive finish to take victory on the line. Kate Axford (Belgrave Harriers) took victory in the women's race by a much greater winning margin matching the women's course record.
In the mountains
The England mountain running team had a fantastic weekend in Casto, Northern Italy for the Nasego World Cup taking part in both the Vertical Nasego and the classic Trofeo Nasego up and down race. The team improved on a fourth place finish in the team competition last year, to secure their spot on the podium behind Italy and France.
The next generation of English mountain runners also impressed at the British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships. Every team member gave it their all as all four England teams secured either first or second place in their respective age groups. There were particularly outstanding performances from Clara McKee (Calder Valley Fell Runners), Rose Gilldaley (Eden Runners, Derek Hurton), Jake Ireland (Macclesfield Harriers, Alison Hartopp & Bev Hartigan) and George Watkins (Macclesfield Harriers, Alison Hartopp & Bev Hartigan) who all also secured individual spots on the podium.
On the trails
The Forest of Dean was the setting for this year’s England v Wales Masters Trail race. The athletes all weaved their way through the 13.1mile course on the undulating forest trails. Victory was claimed by Welsh athletes in the overall men’s and women’s races with English athletes following just seconds behind to claim gold in their respective age groups.
There’s plenty more running action in the coming weeks with England teams due to compete at:
- Corsa dei Castelli European U23 road race: 18 October
- Trofeo Vanoni Relays: 25 October