Athletics

What is athletics?

Athletics covers running, jumping and throwing — the foundation discipline of sport. The track hosts sprint, middle and long distance events; the field hosts long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin. Road running, cross country and the marathon form its widest-participation side.

This page lists running groups, technical training programmes, race preparation packages and event registrations. Athletics has one of the lowest equipment costs in sport: the right shoes and a progressive plan are usually enough.

Athletics disciplines

What to look for in a running group or coach

The most common barrier to progress in athletics is load that rises too fast:

• The coach’s approach: is weekly volume increased gradually?
• Group level: do the pace bands match your speed?
• Track or route access: tartan track, park loop, safe lighting.
• Measurement: is there a baseline test and periodic reassessment?
• Alternative work (bike, pool) offered if you have an injury history.

Frequently asked questions