FRA Junior Championships: consultation update

Wed 4 Nov 2026

In October, we asked parents and runners for their views on two proposed changes to the FRA Junior Championships:

• Moving the U12 competition from Challenge to Championship status.

• Moving the age-group cut-off date from 31 December to 31 August.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. You made thoughtful points in favour of each possible outcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t reply to everyone individually, but I’ve read every response and shared them all with the sub-committee.

The three members are:

• Clive Thornton, FRA Chairman.

• Duncan Richards, former FRA Junior Co-ordinator and Chair of the England Mountain Running Committee.

• Paula Bowen of Ambleside AC, who serves as welfare officer for the club’s junior runners.

The sub-committee will review the feedback on each proposal and recommend a way forward for the FRA. We’ll share any recommended changes with UK Athletics. I’ll report back in early December.

The group will consider Championship status for the U12s for the 2027 season. Preparations for the 2027 races are already well under way, so 2028 is the earliest we could consider any changes to the age-group cut-off date.

James Parsons
FRA Junior Co-ordinator