Originally published 21/09/26. Last updated 23/09/26.
NB any events in very small print are legacy from 2025/26; I’ll get information for these as soon as possible
NB If you’re looking for events and results before 31 August 2026, see
https://www.valleystriders.org.uk/events-for-juniors-spring-summer-2026/
If you’re looking for results from the equivalent period last year, see
https://www.valleystriders.org.uk/events-for-juniors-autumn-winter-2025-26/
If you’re looking for events after March 2027, you’re very optimistic!!
Quick Summary of “Local” events
- Sat 10/10/2026 LSSA XC 1 Middleton Clearings to be confirmed
- Sun 11/10/2026 WY XC 1 Cliffe Castle Keighley
- Sat 07/11/2026 LSSA XC 2 Cardinal Heenan to be confirmed
- Sun 08/11/2026 Peco XC 1 Temple Newsam
- Sat 14/11/2026 WY XC 2 Thornes Park Wakefield
- Sat ??/??/2026 LSSA XC 3 TBA
- Sat 21/11/2026 Leeds Uni XC relays incl junior races
- Sat 05/12/2026 WY XC 3 Middleton Park South
- Sun 13/12/2026 Peco XC 2 Pontefract
- Sun 03/01/2027 Peco XC 3 Middleton Park
- Sat 09/01/2027 Yorkshire XC Roundhay Park
- Sat ??/??/2027 LSSA XC 4 TBA
- Sun 17/01/2027 WY XC 4 Nunroyd Park
- Sun 31/01/2027 Peco XC 4 West Park
- Sun 14/02/2027 WY XC 5 Oulton, Rothwell
- Sun 21/02/2027 Peco XC 5 Roundhay Park
- Sat 06/03/2027 English Schools XC Temple Newsam (good spectator event)
- Sun 07/03/2027 Peco relays XC Middleton Park South
- Sat 20/03/2027 Schools Internationa XC GSAL (good spectator event)
Age Groups
Since 1 April 2026, all age groups are now in even year numbers U12, U14, etc and EA affiliation is required for league, county, region and national competition U12 and older
- Age groups for all types of events are age the the end of the competition year i.e. at 31 August / 1 September 2027. So U12 is normally new school years 5&6, U14 is normally new school years 7&8, etc.
- For club and some school events, children who are older than the normal age for their school year must compete in their age group, not their school year group
- But age groups for Track & Field outdoor events in September 2026 were considered to be the final events of Summer 2026, so ages were at 31 August / 1 September 2026. So U12 is/was normally OLD school years 5&6, U13 is/was normally old school years 7&8
England Athletics Registration and Affiliation
All of our junior members year 5 and older have been added to the England Athletics database and they have been allocated a 7 digit unique reference number (URN). (the personal information added is name, date of birth, postal address and parent’s email address)
Competitive Athletes
- A minority of our junior members have been set up as “Competitive Athletes” on the England Athletics database.
- There is an annual fee for this. For the current EA year that ends 31/03/2027 this is £23, and, in addition, for every Competitive Athlete we pay Northern Athletics £2; this is why we ask for £25 extra for Competitive Athletes
- Competitive Athlete status is needed to take part in West Yorkshire Track & Field League and West Yorkshire Cross Country League (the minimum age for these is U12 i.e. school year 5).
- Competitive Athlete status is needed to take part in Yorkshire County competitions, North of England Area competitions and England National competitions (the minimum age for these is U14 i.e. school year 7).
- Competitive Athlete status is needed to take part in open adult races – juniors 11 or over can run in 5k races such as the Leeds 5k at the Brownlee Centre; juniors 15 or over can run in 10k races such as the Abbey Dash and Run For All Leeds 10k; juniors 16 or over can run in 10 miles races such as the Eccup 10mile and also in half marathons such as the Leeds half.
Non-Competitive Athletes
- The majority of our junior members have been set up as “Non-Competitive Athletes” on the England Athletics database
- They can get emails and offers from England Athletics (or can opt-out of these).
- Competitive Athlete status is not needed for races categorised as fun runs linked to adult races e.g. the Eccup Junior Races (run alongside the Eccup 10); the Wetherby fun run and mini-marathon (run alongside the Wetherby 10k); the Peco Junior Races (run alongside the Peco Cross Country Series)
- Competitive Athlete status is not needed for parkruns or junior parkruns. Note that VS strongly support the parkrun policy that under-11’s who run 5k parkrun must run with an adult, in fact there is a view that under-11’s shouldn’t do 5k parkun at all as the maximum race distance for up to 11 years old is 2km..
You can check your Affiliation Status here
https://www.valleystriders.org.uk/members-area/club-information/membership-list/ If your registatration number shows as “JS” with a 7-digit registration number in brackets, you are set up as a non-competitive athlete.
If you need England Athletics affiliation, please pay £23 to the “Membership” account
Account Name: VSAC Membership
Sort Code: 53-70-00
Account Number: 72143878
The £23 is a special offer price.
Note that the above only applies to juniors training in the junior section. Older juniors (young adults) who train with the adult section pay the adult membership fee which includes the England Athletics and Northern Athletics affiliation fees.
Summary of which age groups are eligible for which events
| Competition | Type | Via | Ability | When | Venue | No. | Y2 | Y3 | Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 | Y8 | Y9 | Y10 | Y11 | Y12 | Y13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary XC Local | XC | Sch | any | mid-wk Oct or Nov | 1 | Y3 | Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | |||||||||
| Primary XC Lds/WY | XC | Sch Q | med | mid-wk Feb & Mar | Temple Newsam | 2 | Y3 | Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | ||||||||
| English Primary & Y7 | XC | Sch Q | med | Sat March | 1 | Y3 | Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 | ??? | |||||||
| Leeds Schools XC | XC | Sch | any | Sat Sep-Jan | 4 | Y3-4 | Y3-4 | Y5-6 | Y5-6 | Y7-8 | Y7-8 | Y9-10 | Y9-10 | |||||
| Sec School WY | XC | Sch Q | med | Sat Jan or Feb | GSAL | 1 | U14??? | U14??? | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | U20 | |||||
| English Schools | XC | Sch Q | exp | Sat March | 1 | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | U20 | ||||||||
| Peco XC | XC | Club | any | Sun Nov-Feb | 5 | 1mi (U10) | 1mi (U10) | 1mi (U10) | 1mi (U12) | 1mi (U12) | 2mi (U14) | 2mi U14) | 2mi (U17) | 2mi (U17) | 2mi (U17) | Sen | Sen | |
| Peco XC Relay | XC | Club | any | Sun March | 1 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Sen | Sen | |
| W Yorks XC | XC | Club | med | wk-end Oct-Feb | 5 | U12 | U12 | U14 | U14 | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | U20 | ||||
| Yorks XC | XC | Club | exp | Sat Jan | 1 | U14 | U14 | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | U20 | ||||||
| North & England XC Relays | XC | Club | exp | Sat Oct & Nov | 2 | U14 | U14 | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | U20 | ||||||
| North & England XC Champs | XC | Club | exp | Sat Jan & Feb | 2 | U14 | U14 | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | U20 | ||||||
| Sth Yorks Indoor | T&F | Club | med | Sun Nov-Feb | Sheffield | 4 | U12 | U12 | U14 | U14 | U16 | |||||||
| North Indoor | T&F | Club | exp | Sat Nov-Jan | Sheffield | 3 | U14 | U14 | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | U20 | |||||
| Wetherby jnr race | Road | Club | any | Sun Sep | Wetherby | 1 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 10k | 10k | 10k |
| North & England Road Relays | Road | Club | exp | Sep & Oct | 2 | U14 | U14 | U16 | U16 | U18 | U18 | Sen | ||||||
| Abbey Dash jnr race | Road | Club | any | Sun Nov | Leeds Centre | 1 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 10k | 10k | 10k | ||
| Leeds 5k | Road | Club | med | Weds, monthly | Bodington | 4 | age 11 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||
| Golden Mile | Track | Club | med | Aug | Beckett Park | 1 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
School competitions are open to everyone if your school is registered for the event.
Q in “Via” column means by qualification from a local event.
All Club competitions can be entered by anyone but please take note of “Ability” column.
Calendar
This covers the period 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027, but also shows a few of Summer 2026’s track & field season that ran over into September and a few of Winter 2026/27’s cross country season that will run over into March 2027.
Note regarding races marked “TBA”, we don’t know whether or not they will take place in 2026/27. They are shown in the calendar in the same month as they took place in 2025/26
Note that dates for Leeds Schools Sports Association (LSSA) cross country aren’t all confirmed – click here to jump to this information on this page
For those in the “C” group competing at county level and above, there may be more up to date information in the “C” group WhatsApp group.
LAST YEAR – Wed 3 September – Ilkley Fell Sprint Junior Relays
https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/713d89d7-b2c0-48b0-8196-9df6f6c13fdc
Tue 08 September – Valley Striders Sports Day at GSAL
5:55pm start – 80m, 400m, long jump, howler javelin throw
Fri 11 September – York 5k at University of York Sport Village Cycle Track. Minimum age 11. Need EA affiliation. http://www.racebest.com
Sun 13 September – West Yorkshire T&F Championships at Wakefield
Only available if you entered the WYT&F League meeting this summer in which case it is free entry.
2026 Results
TO FOLLOW
Sun 13 September – Wetherby Junior Races at 12:30pm – Fun run £5.00 enter on the day from 11am all ages (pre7’s to run with fee paying parent guardian) starts and finishes at Wetherby Racecourse. The junior race is before the Wetherby 10k and there will be a start and finish gantry, a race clock, and lots of food and drink! https://wetherbyrunnersac.co.uk/wetherby-run-10k/
“Discounted Entry” – Valley Striders will refund £3 of your entry fee for this race – see the section on “Free Entry” below
10 ran in 2023, only 1 ran in 2024. don’t know why, it’s a great event!
2026 Results
TO FOLLOW
LAST YEAR – Sun 14 September – Pudsey 2.75km mile family run (including juniors) and 400 metres fun run for under-8’s http://www.pudseypacers.com/events/pudsey-10k NB doesn’t show junior race details yet
LAST YEAR – Sun 14 September – Run/Bike/Run Skipton
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/swim-bike-run-mini-skipton_16322
Sun 20 September Northern 6&4 Stage Road Relays and Young Athletes Relays at Sunderland
Teams of 3 juniors in U14/U16/U18 age categories (U14 is school years 7 and 8).
Team entry only
2026 Results TO FOLLOW
U14 Girls
U16 Boys
Sun 20 September – Kirkstall 7 mile race … there weren’t any junior races again this year.
LAST YEAR – Sun 21 September – North East & Yorkshire Triathlon Academy Trials
Contact Phillip Tedd for more information
Wed 23 September – Leeds 5k at Brownlee Cycle Circuit. Minimum age 11. Need EA affiliation. http://www.racebest.com
In 2025, 4 junior Striders ran
LAST YEAR – Sat 27 September – Tom Bosworth Mile races at Beckett Park (and 800m for U11’s) from 2pm
https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=27029
(Tom Bosworth is a GB race walking international who currently holds the world record for a 1 mile race walk at 5:31.08 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bosworth)
In 2025, 8 junior Striders ran
Sat 03 October – English 6&4 Stage Road Relays and Young Athletes Relays at Sutton Coldfield.
Teams of 3 juniors in U14/U16/U18 age categories (U14 is school years 7 and 8).
Team entry only
https://englishroadrunningassociation.co.uk/
In 2025, there were no junior Strider teams
Sun 04 October – English Schools Fell Running Championships at Sedbergh School
Contact Phillip Tedd for more information
LAST YEAR – Tue 07 October – Schools Cup Local Round at Woodhouse Grove
Schools competing included Woodhouse Grove, GSAL, Prince Henry’s and Allerton HS
VS members competing included Samuel Keene and Charlotte Parsons for GSAL, Erin Winter and Soren Pailor for Allerton High
Former VS members competing included Harry Ndawula and Edgar Traviss-Turner for GSAL
Results https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OdCNZqS7JRwIv3K8jBsMsJcLaKsY2QvI/
Fri 09 October – York 5k at University of York Sport Village Cycle Track. Minimum age 11. Need EA affiliation. http://www.racebest.com
Sat 10 October – Leeds School Sports Association meeting 1 at Middleton Park Clearings near John Charles Centre TO BE CONFIRMED more details to follow. All entries are via schools (and not all schools are eligible)
Sun 11 October – West Yorkshire Cross Country League meeting 1 at Cliffe Castle, Keighley
Club members only, minimum age 10 on 01/09/2027,
CLOSING DATE Sunday 4 October for meeting 1
(other dates are Sat 14 Nov, Sat 05 Dec, Sun 17 Jan, Sun 14 Feb).
U12/U14/U16/U18 (U12 is school years 5 and 6).
ALL must have England Athletics affiliation
See section below for more information including how to enter.
In 2023, 19 VS juniors ran.
In 2024, 14 VS juniors ran
In 2025, 20 VS juniors ran this race
General information, race location, course map, timetable etc http://www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk/wyxcl26index.htm
To enter https://www.race-results.co.uk/onlineentries/user/login.php?raceid=6172
List of entries to date https://www.race-results.co.uk/onlineentries/user/getentries.php?raceid=6172
It is not possible to enter individual races, but if you can’t make the first two there is likely to be a reduced rate to enter the last three.
Sat 17 October – Northern XC Relays at Graves Park Sheffield.
Teams of 3 – U12/ U14/U16/U18/U20 (Year 5+)
Race information https://www.northernathletics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-XC-Relays-Prospectus-2.pdf
£24 per team
Alex Gostling is organising teams (contact via “C” group WhatsApp)
Closing date 10 October
In 2025, VS had 4 junior teams – one U13 girls, two U13 boys and one U17 men
Tue 27 October – to be confirmed – Valley Striders junior 1 mile races at Brownlee Cycle Circuit.
Also option of Club Handicap 5k for minimum age 11.
More details to follow.
Wed 28 October – Leeds 5k at Brownlee Cycle Circuit. Minimum age 11. Need EA affiliation.
In 2025, 6 V S juniors ran
?? – Leeds Primary School Games cross country East area at Boston Spa ??(see section below)
?? – Leeds Primary School Games cross country North-East area at Cardinal Heenan ?? (see section below)
?? – Leeds Primary School Games cross country North-West area at Prince Henry’s ?? (see section below)
?r – Leeds Primary School Games cross country South area at Middleton Park (see section below)
?? – Leeds Primary School Games cross country West area at Stanningley (see section below)
Sat 31 October – National XC Relays at Mansfield.
Teams of 3 – U14/U16/U18/U20 (Y7+)
Event information https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2026/natxcrel26p.pdf
£50 per team
Closing date 15 October
Alex Gostling is organising teams (contact via “C” group WhatsApp)
In 2023 we had 3 teams – U13 girls, U13 boys and U15 boys
In 2024 we had 1 team – U13 Boys
In 2025 ????
Sat 07 November – Leeds School Sports Association meeting 2 at Cardinal Heenan TO BE CONFIRMED more details to follow. All entries are via schools (and not all schools are eligible)
Last year – Sat 08 November – English Schools XC Cup regional rounds (Y7+)
Entries for schools for teams of 6 in age groups Y7-8, Y9-10 and Y11-13. No individual entry.
Hosted by GSAL
GSAL Boys Y7-8 qualified for the national final
Contact Phillip Tedd for more information
Last year – Sat 08 November – Cardiff Cross Challenge
https://cardiffcrosschallenge.co.uk/
See 7 February 2026 for more information
Sun 08 November – Peco Cross Country League meeting 1 at Temple Newsam
Suitable for all abilities, minimum school year 2, available to waiting list, (see section below, incudes a link to enter).
(Other dates are Sundays 13 December, 3 January, 31 January, 21 February, 7 March)
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN https://racebest.com/races/8w7su
If you enter before 29 October you will get a personalised race number.
Information at https://pecoxc.co.uk/
In 2023, in meeting 1, 31 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile and 9 in the 2 mile
In 2024, in meeting 1, 45 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile and 15 in the 2 mile
In 2025, in meeting 1, 26 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile and 15 in the 2 mile
Sun 08 November – South Yorkshire Indoor Open Series meeting 1 at EIS Sheffield
U12/U14/U16 – ages as at 01/09/2027 i.e. new school years 5 to 10 inclusive (see section below)
Other dates are Sun 13 December, Sun 24 January and Sat 28 March
https://www.sycaa.org.uk/indoor-series/
https://www.sycaa.org.uk/indoor-series/2026/09/14/indoor-series-2026-27/
NB some dates clash with Peco series.
Events at meeting 1 are 60m, 150m (U12 only), 200m (U14&U16), 800m (600m for U12), Long Jump (U12&U14), Shot Put
Fri 13 November – York 5k at University of York Sport Village Cycle Track. Minimum age 11. Need EA affiliation. http://www.racebest.com
Sat 14 November – West Yorkshire Cross Country League meeting 2 at Thornes Park Wakefield
In 2023, 8 VS juniors ran.
In 2024, 10 VS juniors ran.
In 2025, 24 VS juniors ran, U11 girls were 3rd, U11 boys 2nd, U13 girls 3rd, U13 boys 5th
General information, race location, course map, timetable etc http://www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk/wyxcl26index.htm
Entry link – see race 1 on 11 October
Sat 22 November – Northern Athletics Indoor Open Meeting 1 at EIS Sheffield
LAST YEAR https://www.northernathletics.co.uk/events/november-indoor-open/
Sat 22 November Liverpool Cross Challenge
Contact Alex Gostling for more information
Wed 25 November – Leeds 5k at Brownlee Cycle Circuit. Minimum age 11. Need EA affiliation.
In 2024, 7 VS juniors ran
In 2025, 7 VS juniors ran
Sun 30 November – Abbey Dash (must be 15 on race day) and there WASN’T a Junior Race –
https://www.runforall.com/
“Discounted Entry” – Valley Striders will refund £3 of your entry fee for this race – see the section on “Free Entry” below
In 2023, 9 VS juniors ran in the junior race and 1 in the adult 10k (age 15 and over)
In 2024, 17 VS juniors ran in the junior race and 5 in the adult 10k (age 15 and over)
Sat 06 December – Northern Athletics Indoor Open Meeting 2 at EIS Sheffield
LAST YEAR’S INFO https://www.northernathletics.co.uk/events/northern-athletics-december-indoor-open/.
THIS YEAR https://www.northernathletics.co.uk/events/december-indoor-open/
Sat 06 December – English Schools XC Cup Final at Princethorpe College Warwickshire
School teams qualify via regional competitions. No individual entry.
Contact Phillip Tedd for more information
Sat 05 December – West Yorkshire Cross Country League meeting 3 at Middleton Park south entrance (see section below).
In 2023, 13 VS juniors ran
In 2024, 11 VS juniors ran at meeting 3 which was at Middleton Park
In 2025, 22 VS juniors ran (U11 girls 3rd, U11 boys 1st, U13 girls 3rd, U13 boys 2nd)
General information, race location, course map, timetable etc http://www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk/wyxcl26index.htm
Entry link – see race 1 on 11 October
Sun 13 December – Peco Cross Country League meeting 2 at Pontefract Park
In 2023, 33 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile race, 12 VS juniors ran in the 2 mile race
In 2024, 29 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile race, 11 VS juniors ran in the 2 mile race
In 2025, 21 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile race, 16 VS juniors ran in the 2 mile race
Entry link – see race 1 on 8 November
Sun 13 December – South Yorkshire Indoor Open Series meeting 2 at EIS Sheffield (new school years 5 to 10 inclusive ) (see section below)
https://www.sycaa.org.uk/indoor-series/
Events on this date are High Jump (U14&U16), 150m (U12&U14), 300m (U14&U16), 800m (600m for U12), Standing High Jump (U12 only), Long Jump (U16 only), Javelin (U12 only)
Sun 03 January 2027 – Peco Cross Country League meeting 3 at Middleton Clearings (near John Charles Centre)
In 2023/24, 32 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile race and 11 ran in the 2 mile race
In 2024/25, 21 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile race and 10 ran in the 2 mile race
In 2025/26, 35 VS juniors ran in the 1 mile race and 19 ran in the 2 mile race
Entry link – see race 1 on 8 November
Sat 09 January 2027 – Yorkshire Cross Country Championships at Roundhay Park – school year 7 and above. Categories are as at 01/09/2027 – U14 (normally Y7-8), U16, U18, U20
There are individual medals and team medals for these.
Also these are qualifiers for the InterCounties Cross Country on 13/03/2027 at Wollaton Park, Nottingham
Entry details: TO FOLLOW
Entry link: TO FOLLOW
ENTRIES CLOSE 19-ish DECEMBER
In 2024, 8 VS juniors competed; the U13 boys team were 4th and the U15 boys team 9th
In 2025, 10 VS juniors competed; the U13 boys team were 4th and the U17 mens team 7th
In 2026, 10 VS juniors competed; the U13 boys team were 5th and the U17 mens team 6th
Sat/Sun ??/?? January 2027 – Northern Athletics U17/U20/Senior Indoor Championships at Sheffield
LAST YEAR https://www.northernathletics.co.uk/events/northern-sen-u20-u17-indoor-championships-2026/
LAST YEAR – Sat 17 January 2026 – Wakefield Indoor Junior Athletics meeting 1 at Thornes Park Stadium. 10:00-14:00
Online entry will be approx. £20 for series of 3 meetings
In 2024, 2 VS juniors – Harry Richards & Josh Salmon – competed in the series
In 2025, 2 VS juniors – Harry Richards & Indi Banerjee – competed in the series
Sun 17 January 2027 – West Yorkshire Cross Country League meeting 4 at Nunroyd Park, Guiseley.
General information, race location, course map, timetable etc http://www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk/wyxcl26index.htm
Entry link – see race 1 on 11 October
In 2025/26 there were 4 meetings in the series but in 2026/27 there will be 5 so the result from Race 4 last year are shown alongside race 5 in 2027.
Sat 23 January 2027 – Northern Cross Country Championships at Witton Park Blackburn – school year 7 and above
Entry Link:
Entries close ?? January
In 2024, 3 VS juniors competed
In 2025, 3 VS juniors competed (but it was in Cheshire so that’s a good excuse)
In 2026, 10 VS juniors competed; the U13 Girls were 12th and the U13 Boys were 11th
Photos from 2026
Sun ?? January 2026 – English Indoor Race Walking Championships
Sun 24 January 2027 – South Yorkshire Indoor Open Series meeting 3 at EIS Sheffield (new school years 5 to 10 inclusive) (see section below)
https://www.sycaa.org.uk/indoor-series/
Events on this date are 60m, 150m (U12 only), 200m (U14&U16), 1500m (600m for U12), Long Jump (U12&U14 only), Shot Put
Sun 31 January 2027 – Peco Cross Country League meeting 4 at West Park / Beckett Park
In 2023/24, 28 VS juniors competed in the 1 mile race and 10 in the 2 mile race
In 2024/25, 38 VS juniors competed in the 1 mile race and 12 in the 2 mile race
In 2025/26, 30 VS juniors competed in the 1 mile race and 19 in the 2 mile race
Entry link – see race 1 on 8 November
Sat 06 February 2027 – West Yorkshire Secondary Schools cross country championships at GSAL. Qualifying is via LSSA event on ??????
This event serves as a qualifier for the English Schools
– year 7 at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth on date TBA
– year 8 ???
– years 9-10, 11-12 and 13 at Temple Newsam on 6 March
Sun 14 February 2027 – West Yorkshire Cross Country League meeting 5 at Oulton Sports Club Rothwell
General information, race location, course map, timetable etc http://www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk/wyxcl26index.htm
Entry link – see race 1 on 11 October
In previous years there have only been 4 meetings
In 2023/24, 8 VS juniors ran in race 4 and 6 VS juniors featured in the league series tables having run 3 or more races.
In 2024/25, 10 VS juniors ran in race 4 which was at Rothwell and the U11G team were gold medallists in the series
In 2025/26, 22 VS juniors ran in race 4, U11G team 3rd, U11B team 2nd, U13G team 3rd, U13B team 4th
2025/26 SERIES RESULTS
U11 Girls 13 Ruby Wilson 40pts, 13 Matilda Dark 40pts, 20 Ella Ball 57pts, 25 Molly Kendell 77pts, 28 Gwen Rees 83pts team 3rd
U11 Boys 4 Levi Woodger 11pts, 5 Leo Freer 15pts, 10 Fred Rees 25pts, 18 Dylan Talbot 57pts, 21 Samuel McLarkey 62pts, 27 Kyle Reid 80pts team 2nd
U13 Girls 5 Emmy Deverill 11pts, 14 Imogen Burton 53pts, 15 Dora Walmsley 43pts, 23 Niamh Archbold 76pts team 3rd
U13 Boys 9 Josh Salmon 32pts, 14 Harry Richards 48pts, 15 James Whittaker 52pts, 25 Alfie Rees 86pts, 28 Harry Francis 92pts team 4th
U15 Boys 15 Ewan Reid 37pts
Three teams won medals – U11B silver, U11G bronze, U13G bronze
Sun ?? February 2027 – Northern Athletics U13/15 Indoor Championships at Sheffield
https://www.northernathletics.co.uk/events/northern-u13-u15-indoor-championships-2027/
Wed ?? February 2027 – Leeds Primary School Games cross country Leeds Final at Templenewsam (see section below) – selection for Leeds teams for West Yorkshire Final in March
LAST YEAR – Sat 07 February 2026 – Wakefield Indoor Junior Athletics meeting 2 at Thornes Park Stadium. 10:00-14:00
List of events https://www.race-results.co.uk/onlineentries/uploads/info5563.pdf
For more details see 17 January
Sat 20 February 2027 – English National Cross Country Championships at Thoresby Estate near Newark
Entries close 30 January
Sun 21 February 2027 – Peco Cross Country League meeting 5 at Roundhay Park
In 2023/24, 34 VS juniors competed in the 1 mile race and 10 in the 2 mile
In 2024/25, 38 VS juniors competed in the 1 mile race and 10 in the 2 mile
In 2025/26, 28 VS juniors competed in the 1 mile race and 14 in the 2 mile
Entry link – see race 1 on 8 November
Wed 24 February 2027 – Leeds 5k at Brownlee Centre race 1 of 10 race series
10 races in the series, one a month through to November, usually (but not always) on the 4th Wednesday of the month.
Age 11 and older
Save money by buying a season ticket
England Athletics affiliation required otherwise pay non-affiliated fee
In 2025, 12 VS juniors ran in the February event
Tue ?? March 2027 – West Yorkshire Primary School Games cross country Final at Templenewsam.
Qualifying is via event on ?? February.
This event serves as a qualifier for school years 4,5,6 for the English event at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth on ?? March.
In 2025, more than 16 VS juniors competed for their schools and/or as individuals
LAST YEAR – Sat 07 March 2026 – Wakefield Indoor Junior Athletics meeting 3 at Thornes Park Stadium. 10:00-14:00
For details, see 17 January
In 2025, one junior competed
Sat 06 March 2027 – English National Schools XC Championships (secondary schools) at TEMPLE NEWSAM
Qualifying is via West Yorks event in February.
https://esaa.org.uk/competitions/cross-country-championship/
Sun 07 March 2027 – Peco Cross Country Relays and Juniors Relays at Middleton Park
https://pecoxc.co.uk/pages/relay.html
** Recommended for all junior members school years 2 and above
** I’m managing all the teams – please see the Facebook post
In 2024, 12 teams each of 3 Valley Striders juniors took part
In 2025, 13 teams each of 3 Valley Striders juniors took part
In 2026, 14 teams each of 3 Valley Striders juniors took part
Entry link – not yet available
Sat 13 March 2027 – Intercounties XC at Wollaton Park, Nottingham
Qualification from Yorkshire County Championships on 9 January
Sat ?? March 2027 – English Schools Primary & Year 7 XC Championships at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth – qualifying is via West Yorks events on ?? February (for years 4-6) and on 6 February (for years 7). Year 3 may also enter as individuals, as may non-qualifiers for West Yorks team in years 4-7.
In 2024, 2 VS juniors competed for West Yorkshire in the Y4 races, 4 in Y5, 3 in Y6 and 4 in Y7. Also 2 ran in the Y3 race.
In 2025, 4 VS juniors competed for West Yorkshire in the Y4 races, 3 in Y5, 10 in Y6 and 0 in Y7. Also 2 ran in the Y3 race.
In 2026 RESULTS TO BE SUMMARISED
https://www.nationalprimary-year7crosscountryfinal.com/
Photos from 2026
Sat 20 March 2027 – International Schools XC at GSAL
Should be good spectator event
Wed 24 March 2027 – Leeds 5k at Brownlee Centre race 2 of 10 race series (see 24 Feb for details)
Sun 28 March 2027 – South Yorkshire Indoor Open Series meeting 4 at EIS Sheffield (new school years 5 to 10 inclusive) (see section below)
https://www.sycaa.org.uk/indoor-series/
Events on this date are High Jump (U14&U16), 150m (U12&U14), 300m (U14&U16), 800m (600m for U12), Standing High Jump (U12 only), Javelin (U12 only)
And even further ahead
Spring/Summer 2027
- Leeds 5k races Wednesday evenings,
- West Yorkshire League Track & Field 7 meetings (four on Wednesday evenings, three on Sundays) –
- Jack Bloor Junior Fell Races at Ilkley in May
- Yorkshire Track & Field Championships in May
- Cookridge junior run in May
- Eccup junior races in July
- Golden Acre junior relays in July
see https://www.valleystriders.org.uk/events-for-juniors-spring-summer-2026/ for 2026 information and results.
“Free” Entry
For some races in our list of recommended events that are suitable for all abilities, Valley Striders will “pay” for your race entries by means of a discount of the value of your entry fee(s) if and when you renew your V S junior membership in 2026.
This applies to those that are currently junior members or junior limited training members (but not junior social members nor junior competitive members). If you are unsure of your membership type, check here https://www.valleystriders.org.uk/members-area/club-information/membership-list/
The small print – we won’t pay your entry fee if you enter but then don’t run.
This applies to Peco XC races (£1.50 refunded per race run), Peco Relays (50p), Eccup Junior Races, Wetherby Junior Races (£3 refunded), Abbey Dash Junior Race (£3 refunded)
NB you also get free entry to Golden Acre Relays because V S pay Racebest directly for all teams.
Detailed event information
Junior parkrun (ages 4 to 14)
Every Sunday at 09:00. Click on the links for each location
If you’ve not registered before, each of the venue pages above have a section “What does it cost to join in?” saying “Nothing – it’s free! but please register before you first come along” with a link to their registration page.
Note that you only have to register once, this covers all parkruns at all locations.
In Autumn/Winter 2023/24 (September to February inclusive) 107 junior Striders ran at least 1 parkrun and 22 ran 10 or more.
There are also 11 adult parkruns in Leeds. These are 5km on a Saturday morning. We advise our primary school juniors to do the junior parkruns rather than adult parkruns as there are no competitions available at this age that are longer than 1 mile and schools cross-country maximum distance is 1400m, so the 2km of junior parkrun is ideal.
Links for adult parkruns in Leeds
Armley / Bramley / Chevin / Crossflatts / Middleton / Potternewton / Rothwell / Roundhay / Templenewsam / Wetherby / Woodhouse Moor
Leeds Primary School Games cross country
There are 5 initial races (sometimes called “semi-finals”) in October and November, one for each of the Leeds Schools Sports Partnerships Areas (most of our children are in schools in Northeast, a few in Northwest, and one or two in East and West). At each event there are 8 races – for girls and boys, for each school year from 3 to 6. The best schools and best individuals from each semi-final qualify for the Leeds final, and the best schools and best individuals from the Leeds final qualify to represent Leeds at the West Yorkshire final against Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield and the best individuals from the West Yorkshire final qualify to represent West Yorkshire at the National Final.
For the English Primary Schools and Year 7 National Final, West Yorkshire organise teams for years 4, 5,6, and 7. (Regarding the Y7 age-group see the next section). However children may also enter as individuals and there are also races for year 3 at the same.
Schools must be members of their local School Sports Partnership or the Leeds Well Schools organisation to take part.
Leeds Schools Sports Association (LSSA) cross-country races
4 meetings between October/November and February – races for boys and girls in age groups school years 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10.
Venues are usually Cardinal Heenan HS, Middleton Clearings (John Charles Centre), Prince Henry’s GS, Woodhouse Grove School (but not necessarily in that order)
Details and results for 2025/26 can be found in the LSSA new website
https://leedsschoolssports.co.uk/lsaa-cross-country-league-2025-26/
Details and results for 2024/25 can be found in the LSSA new website
https://leedsschoolssports.co.uk/lsaa-cross-country-league-2024-25/
Details and results for 2023/24 can be found in the LSSA new website
https://leedsschoolssports.co.uk/lsaa-cross-country-league-2023-24-information/
Valley Striders Stats
LAST YEAR – Sat 08 November 2025 – Leeds Schools XC (school years 3 to 11) meeting 1
In 2023, in meeting 1, 29 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 14 ran in the secondary schools races
In 2024, in meeting 1, 45 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 9 ran in the secondary schools races
In 2025, in meeting 1, 39 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 25 ran in the secondary schools races
LAST YEAR –Sat 29 November 2025 – Leeds Schools Athletics Association cross-country races meeting 2
Included Leeds Secondary Schools Trials to represent Leeds team for West Yorks schools championships, races will be Y7, Y8-9, Y10-11.
In 2023, in meeting 2, 24 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 13 ran in the secondary schools races.
in 2024, in meeting 2, 47 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 6 ran in the secondary schools races
in 2025, in meeting 2, 32 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 19 ran in the secondary schools trials races
LAST YEAR – Sat ?? January 2026 – Leeds Schools Athletics Association cross-country races meeting 3
In 2023/24, in meeting 3, 27 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 19 ran in the secondary schools trials races
In 2024/25, in meeting 3, 37 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 11 ran in the secondary schools trials races
In 2025/26, in meeting 3, 36 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 11 ran in the secondary schools races
LAST YEAR – Sat ?? February 2026 – Leeds Schools Athletics Association cross-country races meeting 4
In 2023/24, in meeting 4, 16 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 7 in the secondary schools races
In 2024/25, in meeting 4, 35 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 8 in the secondary schools races
In 2025/26, in meeting 4, 29 VS juniors ran in the primary schools races and 17 in the secondary schools races
Results from previous years can be found on the LSAA old website http://www.lsaa.org.uk/CC.htm
Schools need to be affiliated to the LSSA. The following is taken from the “League Details” link on the old LSAA website. Leeds School Sports Association provide the finance for all LSAA events all schools must be affiliated to LSSA to take part in LSAA events. This can be done by direct affiliation to the LSSA separate letter will come direct to schools from LSSA. For some primary schools the LSSA affiliation fee is included as part of Leeds Well School Partnership SLA.
One of the meetings in the LSSA series is designated as the qualifier for the Leeds Team for the West Yorkshire Senior Schools Cross Country Championships. At the West Yorks XC, they then compete against Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield). The top runners from these qualify to represent WY at the English National Schools XC Championships – except for Y7, who go to the event mentioned in the Leeds Primary Schools section.
Schools Cup
There is another competition at secondary schools level, the English Schools Cup. The age groups for this are Y7-8, Y9-10 and Y11-13. This is for teams of 6, first 4 to count in races. There are local rounds (if needed), regional rounds in November and the national final in December. GSAL hosted the national final in 2022 and in 2024!
Peco Cross Country League 2026/27
A series of 5 meetings between November 2026 and February 2027.
The dates and venues were decided at the Peco XC AGM on 7 September, are published here, and entries are now open. All venues have approval by Leeds City Council and/or the venue owner and the host clubs.
Open to club members school years 2 and older. Also open anyone on the waiting list (you must contact us and if we approve then register as a Valley Strider)
Suitable for all abilities. We strongly encourage all junior members to take part and will be slightly disappointed with those who don’t take part in at least one race.
This is a “free” event for V S Junior Full Members and Limited Training Members (i.e. everyone except Social Members) in that those who enter and race will get 20% of the race series fee refunded for every race that they do when they next renew their membership.
Distances and start times are one mile at 10:00am for school years 2 to 6; two miles at 10:20am for school years 7 to 11. NB parents of school years 2 and 3 must be confident that their child can complete the distance e.g. they have done junior parkrun.
Cost is £8 for the whole series (whether you run 1 race or 5).
Entries are online via Racebest – race 1 (and series) entry https://racebest.com/races/8w7su
TBA
Unofficial/unconfirmed results will also appear on this link.
If you enter before 24 October you will get a personalised race number. If you’re not sure whether or not you’ve entered, there is a box “Latest entries” which contains a button “See all”.
Further details here https://pecoxc.co.uk/ . Confirmed race results and series points will appear on this website here too.9
In 2023/24, 73 junior Striders ran at least one Peco event and 10 ran all six events i.e including the relays.
In 2024/25, 79 junior Striders ran at least one Peco event and 14 ran all six events i.e including the relays.
In 2025/26, STATISTICS TO BE ADDED HERE
Peco Relays 2027
These are usually held in March and are for teams of 3, approximately 1.2 miles per runner. Keep your number from the Peco series.
This is a “free” event for V S Junior Full Members and Limited Training Members (i.e. everyone except Social Members) in that all race entries will be made by and race fees paid by the club. Excepting that those who do not have a number will have to make a small payment for the number.
More details will be available in February 2027.
South Yorkshire Junior Indoor Series 2026/27
These 4 meetings take place at the indoor athletics facility at the English Institute for Sport (EIS) Sheffield. It has a 200m oval track, a 60m sprint straight (6 lanes) and facilities for long jump, high jump, shot put and turbo javelin.
The series is on four Sundays between November 2026 and March 2027. If you are interested in this, please discuss by email at [email protected] or at one of our training sessions.
Age groups are as at 01/09/2027, so U12 is school years 5-6, U14 is years 7-8, U16 is years 9-10. There are no older categories.
Events
U11 – 60m, 150m, 600m, long jump, standing high jump, shot, foam javelin
U13 – 60m, 200m, 800m, 1200m, long jump, high jump, shot
U15 – 60m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 800m, 1200m, long jump, high jump, shot
Not all events are available at each meeting. Maximum 3 events per person per meeting
Those competing at ALL age groups must be affiliated to England Athletics. Cost is £25p.a. See section below “England Athletics Registration and Affiliation”.
Entry forms are available at https://www.sycaa.org.uk/indoor-series/
West Yorkshire Cross Country League 2026-27
A series of 5 meetings between October and February 2027. For dates and venues, see above
Only open to club members. This series features some of the better clubs in West Yorkshire and we suggest that, for each age group, only the top half of Valley Striders members would “enjoy” the event.
Minimum age for the series is 9 on 1 September 2025 i.e. currently school year 5 and above.
Age groups are U12/U14/U16/U18 on 01/09/2027 i.e. school years 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12. School year 4 not eligible.
All age groups must be affiliated to England Athletics. Cost is £25p.a. See section below “England Athletics Registration and Affiliation”.
Approximate distances and approximate start times – Under 12 1500m at 11:40am; Under 14 3000m at 12noon; Under 16 4000m at 12:30pm.
CHECK The official league information can be found at http://www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk/XCMain.htm
Cost for U12/U14/U16/U18/U20/Seniors is £25 which covers all 5 meetings .
If you’re going to run in race 1 and/or race 2 (and possibly races 3 and/or 4 and/or 5) then use this link
If you’re going to miss races 1 and 2 but run in race 3 and/or race 4 then please wait till after race 2 (14 November) and there should be a new link that gives you cheaper entry.
AMEND If you haven’t already entered the series you can do so for the rest of the series at
Closing date is one week before the first race you want to run
Please email [email protected] with any queries.
Leeds Junior Run Series 2019/20
The Leeds Junior Run Series 2019/20 comprised
– all the junior races organised by running clubs in Leeds
– the Peco cross country series
– the five junior parkruns in Leeds
It was due to run between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 but was abandoned in March 2020.
It is free to enter and club membership is not needed.
We are waiting to see what happens for 2019/20 and 2020/21
See http://www.leedsathletics.net/Leeds_Race_Series.htm