Please find below important information regarding the Cross-Country season for 2026/2027.
All school year groups refer to the “usual” school year of athletes involved. Any students in an unusual school year for their birth age must compete as their birth age.
ESAA XC Cup
There will be two county rounds, one held at Aireville Park, Skipton, wb 5th October, likely to be Tuesday 6thOctober and the second one at Preston Park, Middlesbrough, wb 12th October, day TBC.
County Round Age Groups will be Juniors – Yrs 7 & 8, Inters – Yrs 9 & 10. Seniors, Yrs 11, 12 & 13 do not have to attend this round. However, they may attend and would run with the Inters.
Those schools who qualify for the regional round will be invited to attend Stewart Park, Middlesbrough on Thursday 5th November 2026. Regional Round Age Groups will be – Juniors Yrs 7 & 8, Inters – Yrs 9 & 10. Seniors, Yrs 11, 12 & 13.
The National XC Cup Final will be held on Saturday 5th December at Ratcliffe College in Leicestershire, just north of Leicester.
Age Groups
You may be aware that there is a drive from England Athletics for all school’s athletics/cross country and combined events to fall in line with club athletics and adopt the even age groups. This is currently being voted on, by county organisations, but is highly likely to be accepted by mid/the end of September. Year groups will be as school years, 1st September – 31st August. Ages are at the end of the school year, not the start as many sports, hence U14 is Years 7 & 8.
New age groups:
U14 – Years 7 & 8 Juniors
U16 – Years 9 & 10 Inters
U18 – Year 11 & 12 Seniors
U20 – Year 13
Area Competitions and Trials
It is therefore suggested that all area competitions follow the new age format to assist with selection for the Area teams at the County Championships.
Suggested distances for races:
U20 – Y13 Boys 5600 – 5800m, Girls 3800 – 4200m
U18 – Y11 & 12 Boys 4800 – 5300m, Girls 3000 – 3500m
U16 – Y 9 & 10 Boys 4000 – 4500m, Girls 2600 – 3000m
U14 – Y7 & 8 Boys 2300 – 2700m, Girls 2300 – 2700m
North Yorkshire Cross Country Championships
These will be held at Aireville Park, Skipton on Saturday 16th January. Areas will need to submit their teams, following the new age groups. Further details to follow, from Alastair Scholey to the area XC convenors, later in the term. It is likely that all four new age groups will be running.
Schools Inter Counties XC
Those athletes selected to represent NYSAA will be invited to attend the Inter Counties Match at South Shields on Saturday the February. Please note that due to the early half term in North Yorkshire that this date sits at the start of the February half term. Schools should inform all athletes about the dates for all events, but particularly this date as it might clash with half term ski trips/holidays. A decision has yet to be made about U14 – Year 7 & 8, running at the Inter Counties.
It is unsure, under the new age groups as to how many athletes we can select per age group for the ESAA Nationals. It is likely that only U16, U18 and U20 will run at the Nationals, and a different regional event might be arranged for the U14s. Therefore, we are unable to say how many athletes we will automatically select after the County Championships like in previous years. Thus, running at the Inter Counties is likely to be an important criterion to be selected for the National XC Championships. Ideally, we would like to keep the same selection system as previous years where the first six athletes qualify for the Nationals automatically and the last two places are selected after the Inter Counties. This will be decided, and passed on to schools, once we have more information.
ESAA National Cross Country Championships
These will be held at Temple Newsam in South Leeds on Saturday 6th March 2027. Please ensure your top runners, who are likely to be selected or who are wanting to be selected are aware of this date.
It is appreciated that this is different from previous years; it is hoped that the letter explains what needs to happen at school and Area level. As NYSAA receive more information, this will be sent out to schools and posted on the website. Please do inform your athletes early about dates and the new age groups.
Andrew Rickard
Chair/Secretary
NYSAA
andrew.rickard@nysaa.org.uk
07736547907
Website: NYSAA.org.uk