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Photo by Bobby Gavin<\/strong><\/p>\n Age Group changes<\/a><\/p>\n The next phase of age-group changes will come into effect across Scotland and the wider UK from the start of the 2026\/27 winter season.<\/p>\n From 1 October this year<\/strong>, competition age groups will be based on an athlete\u2019s age as at 31 December 2027.<\/p>\n This follows the changes introduced for the 2026 outdoor season, when age groups were aligned with World Athletics guidelines.<\/p>\n What is Changing?<\/strong><\/p>\n Previously athletes generally remained in the same age group during the winter cross country season as they had competed in throughout the preceding outdoor season.<\/p>\n From 1 October 2026, athletes will instead move into their age group for the following competition year at the start of the winter season.<\/p>\n This means athletes will compete in the same age group throughout both the indoor and outdoor seasons, creating greater consistency across the competition year.<\/p>\n It also removes the possibility of athletes changing age group midway through a season when the calendar year changes on 1 January.<\/p>\n What does this mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n Athletes will move into their age group for the 2027 competition year on 1 October 2026. They will then remain in that age group throughout the 2026\/27 indoor season and the 2027 outdoor season.<\/p>\n Example:<\/p>\n An athlete competing as a second-year U16 athlete during the 2026 outdoor season will move into the U18 age group on 1 October 2026.<\/p>\n They will then compete as an U18 athlete throughout the 2026\/27 indoor, cross country and road running seasons, as well as during the 2027 outdoor season.<\/p>\n Further Information<\/strong><\/p>\n To help athletes, parents, coaches and clubs understand how the new age-group calculations will work, Scottish Athletics has produced detailed guidance and an age-group checker.<\/p>\n These resources available here:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.scottishathletics.org.uk\/events\/age-group-changes\/<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Bobby Gavin<\/strong><\/p>\n +++<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Tags:<\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.scottishathletics.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/YARR26-912806-1024x682.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAge Group changes<\/a>, Winter Season<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n