ATHLETICS IN DEVON
Athletics in the UK can be rather confusing. Clubs and organisations are usually run by volunteers which means that websites are often very old-fashioned and not regularly updated. Finding out about competitions, results, entry standards, entry procedures etc. can be very tricky! In fact, not much has changed since I competed as a youth athlete in the early 2000s.
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In an attempt to make things simple, here's a guide to competing in track and field athletics in Devon. Please note that this page is dedicated to track and field, not cross country. In addition to what is listed below, athletics clubs have their own club competitions. I have not detailed these because I am not associated with any athletics clubs (other than the University of Exeter). I prefer to operate as an independent professional sprints, endurance and horizontal jumps coach.
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This page has lots of links to relevant websites. Follow these links for more information. As you will soon discover, they are of variable quality. In addition, I have not detailed indoor athletics competitions. The nearest indoor track is in Cardiff, and so generally, people start to think about indoor athletics once they've competed outdoors for a season or two.
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In the summer, I always receive enquiries about coaching from the parents of students who have recently discovered, through school P.E., that they're very fast or great at jumping. This is a common entry into the sport. If this is you, please feel free to get in touch about my coaching. It's essential that as this stage, new athletes are given a positive start in the sport with very competent and knowledgeable coaching.
JUMP TO SECTIONS
COMPETING AS AN INDIVIDUAL
COMPETITION HIERARCHY
As an individual athlete based in Devon, the following championships are available. There are no qualifying standards for county championships, but there are for every step up the hierarchy. Understandably, the qualifying standards are higher as you move up the hierarchy.
NATIONAL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
(ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND)
UK ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP
(SENIOR ONLY)
AGE GROUPS
The competition year runs from 1st October to 30th September of the following year
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UNDER 11
9 or 10 on 31st August within the competition year but at least 9 on the day of the competition.
UNDER 13
11 or 12 on 31st August within the competition year
UNDER 15
13 or 14 on 31st August within the competition year
UNDER 17
15 or 16 on 31st August within the competition year
UNDER 20
17 on 31st August within the competition year but under 20 on 31st December in the calendar year of the competition.
SENIOR
at least 20 years of age on 31st December in the calendar year of the competition.
OPEN MEETINGS
An open meeting is an event that anyone can enter. Devon is fortunate to have lots of great open meetings throughout the summer.
​​EXETER HARRIERS
On the last Tuesday of the month from April to September in Exeter
4 open meetings at different tracks in the county
Usually 6 events through the summer and not a long drive from East Devon
A note on competing: Historically, athletes have been able to compete as 'unattached' if they were not part of a club. However, in recent years this has been made more difficult and athletes have been asked to sign up to a club to get a 'race license'. Hopefully, England Athletics see sense and allow athletes to purchase a race license separate from a club membership.
COMPETING THROUGH SCHOOL
COMPETITION HIERARCHY
Athletics in schools starts with P.E. lessons and sports days. If an individual shows competence at an event, they'll be invited by their school to compete at district events. They can then qualify for the Devon Championships where, in turn, they can qualify for English Schools representing their county (there are qualifying standards). The English Schools Championships is a fantastic event that is very professionally run. This is in stark contrast to district school events that are often just run by PE teachers.
SCHOOL P.E. & SPORTS DAYS
DISTRICT SCHOOLS EVENTS
SOUTH-WEST SCHOOLS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
AGE GROUPS
​JUNIOR
School years 8 & 9
INTERMEDIATE
School years 10 & 11
SENIOR
School years 12 & 13​
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Students attending private schools may also find themselves competing in the Independent Schools Association Athletics Finals. There are regional qualifying competitions for athletes wishing to attend this national event.