How far can my child race in cross country and road races?
Rule- England
- England Athletics
- UK Athletics
- Under 12
- Under 14
- Under 16
- UKA Rules 2026
- 2026/27
- Parents
UKA Rule TR3 S4 sets recommended distances for age-group races and maximum distances by age on the day:
| Age group | Cross country (recommended) | Road and multi-terrain (recommended) | Maximum, any terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 (guidance) | 3km | 3km max | 3km at age 10, 5km at age 11 |
| Under 14 | 4km | 6km | 6km |
| Under 16 | 5km | 8km | 8km at age 14, 12km at age 15 |
- Races with age-group categories default to the maximum for that age group.
- Mass-participation races without age categories (such as a family 10k) must keep each child within the maximum for their age on the day.
- For under-12s, UKA strongly recommends the focus is on participation rather than competition.
parkrun is a timed run rather than a race, so it is outside the UKA Rules for Competition.
Added 21 Oct 2026