Welcome to the Flahavan’s Primary Schools Cross Country League 2026/27, organised by Athletics Northern Ireland and supported by Flahavan’s.
The league gives primary school pupils the opportunity to experience cross country running in a fun, competitive and welcoming environment. The league is open to P5, P6 and P7 pupils, with schools from across Northern Ireland competing in regional rounds before the season culminates in the Northern Ireland Final.
This page will be the central information hub for the 2026/27 league. Schools should check back regularly for the latest information, including timetables, race instructions, results, qualification information and updates.
Who can compete?
The league is open to children in P5–P7.
How many athletes can I enter?
Schools can enter up to 6 girls and 6 boys in the Main Team races. The first 4 finishers from each school count towards the school's team score.
If your school has more than 6 girls or 6 boys wishing to take part, additional pupils can be entered into the Fun Run, where available.
If you are an individual pupil running for your school, you will compete in the Main Team race.
Fun Run
The Fun Run is a non-scoring race designed to give additional pupils the opportunity to experience cross country running. Fun Runs will only take place where entries are sufficiently high in an area.
The league consists of three regional rounds, followed by a Northern Ireland Final.
| Round | Distance | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 1000m | Opening regional round |
| Round 2 | 1200m | Second regional round |
| Round 3 | 1400m | Final qualifying round |
| Northern Ireland Final | 1600m | Season finale |
Team qualification for the Final is based on each school's best two scores from the three regional rounds.
The top three schools from each area will qualify for the Final, along with the top five individual athletes from each area who are outside of the qualifying teams. Qualification lists will be published following Round 3 and schools will be contacted with Final information.
The league is divided into six regional areas:
Round Information
The first round gets the 2026/27 Flahavan’s Primary Schools Cross Country League underway, with P5–P7 pupils competing over 1000m in their regional area.
Schools can enter up to 6 girls and 6 boys in the Main Team races, with 4 athletes scoring for their school. Additional pupils may take part in the Fun Run where available.
Round 1 information, including timetable, race instructions and venue information, will be published here when available.
[Round 1 Information →]
Round 2 sees the race distance increase to 1200m, giving pupils another opportunity to represent their school and improve their team position.
The Main Team format remains the same, with 6 girls and 6 boys eligible to compete and the first 4 finishers scoring for the school.
Round 2 information, including timetable, race instructions and venue information, will be published here when available.
[Round 2 Information →]
The final regional round sees pupils compete over 1400m as schools and individual athletes look to secure qualification for the Northern Ireland Final.
A school's best two results from the three regional rounds will count towards Final qualification.
Round 3 information, including timetable, race instructions and venue information, will be published here when available.
[Round 3 Information →]
The season culminates in the Flahavan’s Primary Schools Cross Country League Northern Ireland Final.
The Final brings together the top qualifying schools and individual athletes from each of the six areas to compete over 1600m.
The top 3 schools from each area and top 5 individual athletes outside of those teams will qualify for the Final.
Final information, including the confirmed qualifiers, timetable, venue information and race instructions, will be published here following Round 3.
[Final Information →]
Results will be added to this page following each round.
Athletics NI regularly publishes Flahavan’s league results through its online results section.
Schools should make sure they:
At the start of each race, schools should line their athletes up in single file, with their strongest runners towards the front. Schools should not gather at the start until they are called forward by race officials.
The league is for P5, P6 and P7 pupils only.
Schools can enter 6 girls and 6 boys in the Main Team races. Four athletes score for the school.
Additional pupils can enter the Fun Run, where one is being held in your area.
No. The Fun Run is non-scoring.
Individual pupils representing their school will compete in the Main Team race.
The best two scores from the three regional rounds count. The top three schools from each area qualify, along with the top five individual athletes outside of those teams.
This page will be the main information hub for the 2026/27 league. Schools should bookmark the page and check back regularly for updates.
Follow Athletics Northern Ireland and the Athletics NI Primary Schools Cross Country channels for the latest league updates, announcements, photographs and results.
Good luck to all schools and pupils taking part in the Flahavan’s Primary Schools Cross Country League 2026/27!
Run • Represent • Enjoy