The definition and names of cross-country age groups changed on 1st April 2026. However, in practice the two changes cancel each other out:
- Old age groups names (under 11, under 13 etc.) were defined by the age on 31st August before the race;
- New age groups names (under 12, under 14 etc.) are defined by the age on 31st August after the race;
- Since a runner ages 1 year between the 31/8 before and 31/8 after, the new age groups cater for the same year group;
- However, the U20 age group will lose the top year.
To be specific (notes below):
| New Name |
Age 31/8 After |
Old Name |
Age 31/8 Before |
Year Group (1) |
Historic Name |
| (min.) |
9 on day |
(min.) |
9 on day |
Year 4 |
|
| U12 |
10 |
U11 |
9 |
Year 5 |
|
| U12 |
11 |
U11 |
10 |
Year 6 |
Novice |
| U14 |
12 |
U13 |
11 |
Year 7 |
|
| U14 |
13 |
U13 |
12 |
Year 8 |
Colts/Minor Girls |
| U16 |
14 |
U15 |
13 |
Year 9 |
|
| U16 |
15 |
U15 |
14 |
Year 10 |
Boys/Girls |
| U18 |
16 |
U17 |
15 |
Year 11 |
|
| U18 |
17 |
U17 |
16 |
Year 12 |
Youths/Inter Ladies |
| U20 |
18 |
U20 |
17 |
Year 13 |
|
| U20 |
19 (3) |
U20 |
18 |
Uni. 1 (2) |
|
| U24 |
20 (3) |
U20 |
19 |
Uni. 2 |
Junior Men/Euro Junior Ladies |
| U24 |
21 |
U23 |
20 |
Uni. 3 |
|
| U24 |
22 |
U23 |
21 |
|
|
| U24 |
23 |
U23 |
22 |
|
|
- For guidance: Occasionally students are placed in a school year above or below; It is the age which defines the category;
- First year at university for those who attend, ignoring any gap year;
- The new U20 category 'loses' 19 year-olds to the senior race, apparently to promote athlete development.
