Avon Athletics Network

Promoting the sport of Athletics
in the Bath & North-East Somerset,
Bristol, North Somerset, and
South Gloucestershire areas.
THE UKA ATHLETICS AGE GROUP SYSTEM


Restrictions on Age Groups in Competition
 
Under 11 Boys/Girls UKA (UK Athletics; the governing body of the sport) does not specifically recognise Under-11's, but organisers are expected to provide events less arduous than those for Under-13's. Organisers often put a minimum age limit on Under-11 competitors.
 
Under 13 Boys/Girls
  • Track and Field:
    • Under-13's are limited to 4 events on any one day, one of which must be a relay (they may do Pentathlons, but may do no other event, (even a relay) on that day).
    • Under-13's may not run races longer than 1 mile, and may not do more than one event between 600m and 1 mile inclusive on one day
    • They may not compete in races over 300m or 400m, nor on Triple Jump or Steeplechase.
  • Cross-Country, Road:
    • Under-13's are limited to races of 5000 metres on the road or 3000 metres on Cross-Country
 
Under 15 Boys/Girls
  • Track and Field:
    • Under-15's are limited to 4 events on any one day, one of which must be a relay (they may do Pentathlons, but may do no other event, (even a relay) on that day).
    • Under-15's may not run races longer than 3000m, and may not do more than one event between 600m and 3000m inclusive on one day
    • They may not compete in Steeplechase.
  • Cross-Country, Road:
    • Under-15's are limited to races of 6000 metres on the road or 5000 metres on Cross-Country
 
Under 17 Men/Women
  • Track and Field:
    • Under-17's are limited to 4 events on any one day, at least one of which must be a relay (they may do Combined Events, but may do no other event, (even a relay) on that day).
    • Under-17's may not run races longer than 5000m: they may compete against Juniors or Seniors in events up to 3000m (including Steeplechase).
  • Cross-Country, Road:
    • Under-17's are limited to races of 10km (15-year-olds) or 16km (16 year olds) on the road or 6500 metres on Cross-Country
 
Junior Men/Women
  • Track and Field:
    • Junior Men/Women are limited to 5 events on any one day (they may do Combined Events, but may do no other event, (even a relay) on that day).
  • Cross-Country, Road:
    • Juniors are limited to races of 25km (17-year-olds) or Marathon (18 up) on the road or 10000 metres on Cross-Country
 
Masters

There are specific competitions for Masters athletes (formerly known as Veterans): more information about these, including hurdles /throws equipment specifications, can be found at the British Masters Athletics Federation website. However Masters are also welcome to compete as Seniors using Senior throws / hurdles specifications.