Athletics Northern Ireland are delighted to support the 'Psychology of Endurance Performance' network event which is being delivered as part of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Conference on Sunday 2nd of December 2018 from 7.30pm at Ulster University Belfast.

The Selection policies are now available for the IAAF International Cross Country and the Celtic Cross country, which will be held on 19th January 2019.

Finn O’Neill (Limavady GS) and Troy McConville (Craigavon Senior HS) claimed All Ireland Schools Combined Events titles as five local athletes picked up medals at the Athlone IT (Ireland) event (Saturday 13th October 2018).

On the 28th September 2018, Athletics Northern Ireland hosted their Commonwealth Games Celebrations in conjunction with their Annual Awards.

Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC / Colin Roberts) recorded a significant personal best as a team of five represented Northern Ireland at the inaugural Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff, Wales (Sunday 7th October 2018).

QUB AC trio Emma Mitchell, Sinead Sweeney and Rebecca Henderson smashed the Senior Ladies course record on their way to gold at today's NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships (Saturday 6th October 2018).

Final preparations are underway for the Orangegrove Athletics Club’s 8th annual hosting of the NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships (Saturday 6th October 2018). The event will take place at the impressive Victoria Park, Belfast. In association with O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors, the east Belfast club is preparing to welcome a record number of runners willing to test themselves on the two-lap 3380m relay course.

Former Olympian, and 2018 European Championships athlete, Kerry O’Flaherty took to the beach to launch this year’s Flahavan’s Porridge Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League.

More than 500 runners will take the challenge of the parklands of Cultra this weekend to raise funds for children with congenital heart disease. Athletes of all abilities will tackle 5km and 10km tracks around the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum on Sunday 7th October in aid of the Children’s Heartbeat Trust.

Northern Ireland internationals Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s AC) and Jessica Craig (North Down AC) were crowned NI & Ulster Champions at today’s Bangor 10k road race (Saturday 29th September 2018).

North Down AC will host the Northern Ireland & Ulster 10k (Road) Championships this coming weekend (Saturday 29th September 2018). The event, which is supported by the George Best City Airport, will attract over 1,000 competitors to County Down, with an abundance of athletic talent set to compete.

Endurance coaches will get a rare insight into the use of applied physiology with an elite athlete when Dr Richard McCann presents his breakout option at this Saturday’s Athletics NI Coaching Conference with European Medalist Ciara Mageean.

On Sunday 23rd September at 9am the largest Half Marathon in Northern Ireland took place from Ormeau Embankment.  Entering its 6th year the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon celebrated its biggest year yet, with over 4,000 participants taking part in 2018.

Letterkenny AC's Danny Mooney and Dub Runners' Claire Tonry will lead the charge for honours as a 4,000 strong field take on the 6th annual Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon this weekend (Sunday 23rd September 2018).

The evening will honour our 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games teams, celebrating the tremendous performance of the athletes and coaches. Alongside the Commonwealth Celebration the Annual Awards will also recognise 2017 & 2018 Northern Ireland record breakers (U20/Senior) and Major Championship athletes and their coaches.

Athletics Northern Ireland Event Group Development sessions for Endurance Athletes are scheduled to take place every Thursday evening beginning on 20th September and concluding on Thursday 20th December at Mary Peters Track from 6.00pm-8.15pm

Young Mid Ulster AC athlete Grace Carson produced the performance of the weekend as Junior Mountain runners from Northern Ireland picked up medals at the British & Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships in County Wicklow (Ireland) this weekend (Saturday 8th September 2018).

Northern Ireland 10,000m and 5,000m record holder Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie) was the star performer as hundreds of local athletes took on the famous Great North Run in England this weekend (Sunday 9th September 2018).

The Northern Ireland Team for the Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships has been announced.

Finn O’Neill (City of Derry Spartans AC / Matthew Spain) went to the top of the UK U13 All-Time Pentathlon rankings when posting a score of 2534 at last month’s NI & Ulster Multi Event Championships at the Mary Peters Track.

Following the successful delivery of three squad training days in 2017/2018, Athletics NI are pleased to announce the first date for the 2018/2019 Ulster & NI Endurance Development Squad.

Four junior stars picked up five medals between them as Northern Ireland's up and coming athletes impressed at the UK School Games at Loughborough University in England (Friday 31st August - Saturday 1st September 2018).

Andrew Annett (North Belfast Harriers) and Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC) were crowned Northern Ireland & Ulster Champions at the Waterside Half Marathon in Derry / Londonderry this weekend (Sunday 2nd September 2018).

This weekend’s Waterside Half Marathon in Derry / Londonderry will incorporate the Northern Ireland & Ulster Half Marathon Championships (Sunday 2nd September 2018).

Gold medals for Dylan McBride (Willowfield Harriers / Lawson Cochrane), Victoria Lightbody (City of Lisburn AC / Andrea Anderson) and Andrew Greer (Torque Racing / Heather Ardis & Helen Doherty) at the England Athletics Age-Group Championships (Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th August 2018).

Eleven NI and Ulster Athletes will take on the best of the UK’s U17 & U15 athletes as the English Championships begin at Bedford International Athletics Stadium this morning.

Northern Ireland’s top athletes will go head-to-head against an abundance of international talent as Athletics Northern Ireland host its annual IAAF permitted International Cross-Country Race on 19th January 2019.

Sprinting legend Jason Smyth raced further into the record books with another gold medal last night in the World Para European Championships in Berlin.

Northern Ireland's Sally Brown made her comeback to Para athletics in style last night in the World Paralympics European Champs in Berlin where she finished second in a close fought 400 metres race with favourite Angelina Lanza of France.

Multi sprint champion Jason Smyth last night added another title to his huge Paralympic collection when he took  gold with ease over 200 metres at the World Paralympic European Championships in Berlin.

The fastest Paralympian in the World, Jason Smyth, will be hoping to add another major title to his already substantial haul of medals in today's (Tues) 200 metres final of the World Paralympic European Champs in the Olympic Stadium, Berlin.

Athletics Northern Ireland’s Annual Coaching Conference, which will take place on Saturday 29th September at Ulster University, Jordanstown is now open for bookings.

Former World and European Masters 800m Champion Kelly Neely (City of Lisburn AC) will lead the Northern Ireland & Ulster charge for honours at this weekend’s Irish Life AAI National Masters Track & Field Championships in Tullamore, Ireland (Saturday 18th August 2018).

City of Lisburn AC and Lagan Valley AC topped the respective male and female standings as athletes descended on the Mary Peters Track in Belfast for Round 3 of the Team Trophy last weekend (Saturday 11th August 2018).

Twenty-two NI and Ulster Athletes will take on teams from BAL/UKWAL league, England, GB Juniors, Iceland, Scotland and Wales at the Manchester International tonight, Wednesday 15th August 2018.

Portaferry's Ciara Mageean had the agonising experience last night of finishing 4th in the European 1,500 metres final in Berlin were she just missed out on a medal by less than a second.

NI's top middle distance athlete Ciara Mageean made light work of her 1,500 metres heat yesterday (Friday) in the European Championships in Berlin.

Having successfully delivered an Erasmus+ programme for Youth Academy athletes in Portugal  in 2017 Athletics NI are now delighted to announce further funding for 2019.

Despite running in the unfavourable 8th lane, Reid finishes as 7th best 200m sprinter in Europe.   

South Belfast's Stephen Scullion battles Europe's best in the 10,000 metres final at last night’s European Championships in Berlin.  

Five NI and Ulster Athletes have departed to take on the best of the UK’s combined events athletes in Sport City, Manchester this weekend.

The Northern Ireland & Ulster team for the Manchester International has been announced.

Current NI & Ulster 10k (Road) Champion Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC) and reigning NI & Ulster 10,000m Champion Marina Murphy (Derry Track Club) will headline as athletes battle it out for 10,000m gold this weekend (Sunday 5th August 2018).

Hundreds of local runners will have the chance to run alongside one of the sports’ all-time greats during one of the Novosco Grand Prix races in Belfast next month.

With just over 7 weeks to go, the 6th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon is gearing up for a record year with over 4,000 participants expected to take part on Sunday 23rd September 2018 at 9am from Ormeau Embankment.

Athletics Northern Ireland have launched their 2018 Awards which will run alongside a Commonwealth Games Celebration and the Annual Coaching Conference on 28th-29th September.

Athletics NI are delighted to announce that seventeen Northern Ireland & Ulster athletes have been named in Ireland’s European Athletics Championships squad.

Northern Ireland’s Ciara Mageean (UCD AC / Steve Vernon) and Leon Reid (Menapians AC / James Hillier) deservedly stole the headlines as Northern Ireland based athletes picked up an impressive haul of silverware at the Irish Life AAI National Senior Championships (Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July 2018).

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Leon Reid (Menapians AC / James Hillier) will be amongst a plethora of local talent who travel to this weekend’s Irish Life Health Senior Track & Field Championships at the Morton Stadium in Santry (Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July 2018).

Lauren Roy (100m) & Craig McMeechan (1500m) secured top points with winning performances last night as eight NI and Ulster Athletes took on teams from England (North, Midlands and South), Scotland and Wales (Wales U20 and Welsh Schools) at the Welsh U20 International in Swansea last night, Wednesday 25th July 2018.

Eight NI and Ulster Athletes will take on teams from England (North, Midlands and South), Scotland and Wales (Wales U20 and Welsh Schools) at the Welsh U20 International in Swansea tonight, Wednesday 25th July 2018.

Northern Ireland will be sending a team to the Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships event, in Wales, in the autumn.

Athletics NI will host an information evening for club, school and community athletics coaches and/or coordinators on Friday 17th August at 6pm.

Northern Ireland’s Megan Marrs (City of Lisburn AC / Jerzy Maciukiewicz) has again impressed against high calibre opposition – this time at the British Athletics Anniversary Games in London. Closer to home, local stars from Northern Ireland and Ulster picked up medals at the Irish Life AAI National Age Group Championships in Tullamore, Ireland.  There was also impressive performances by local athletes in Bangor, Llanberis and Dublin.

British Indoor 60m Hurdles Champion Megan Marrs (City of Lisburn AC / Jerzy Maciukiewicz) will follow on from last week’s Athletics World Cup with another high profile competition.

The 2018 Athletics Northern Ireland Coaching Conference will take place on Saturday 29th September at Ulster University, Jordanstown and will feature a range of experts.

Northern Ireland athletes Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers / Stephen Haas) and Ciara Mageean (UCD AC / Steve Vernon) starred as local competitors came up against world class talent at last night’s Morton Games in Dublin (Thursday 19th July 2018).

World Record holder Jason Smyth (Derry Track Club) is one of four Northern Irish athletes selected to Represent Ireland or Great Britain & Northern Ireland at the European Para Athletics Championships in Berlin at the end of August.

Athletics NI, in partnership with Ulster University are delighted to launch the "Ulster University Speed-Power Academy" with the aim to bridge the gap between our Rising Stars and Youth Academy initiatives by creating an environment for our athletes (aged 15-21) to supplement their current club training with appropriate speed development and physical preparation sessions.

Commonwealth Youth High Jump Champion Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley AC / Niall Wilkinson) had the performance of her career yesterday when she soared over an Irish and Northern Irish U20 record of 1.90m at the first attempt to win the silver medal at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Tampere.

British Athletics has announced 29 athletes set to compete at the Athletics World Cup on home soil at the London Stadium on 14-15 July.

Athletics NI’s next scheduled Athletics 365 Workshop for coaches, teachers and students will take place on Wednesday 8th August 2018. The 4 hour workshop will take place at Templemore Complex, Derry (BT48 8SA) on Wednesday 8th August from 6-10pm. This workshop will introduce the Athletics 365 Coach Pack and discuss the British Athletics Development Model. The workshop is suitable for coaches, teachers and sports students.

Sport Northern Ireland is giving the sporting community an opportunity to say “thank you” to local coaches, officials and volunteers as it opens nominations for the 2018 SportMaker Awards.  The Awards acknowledge the work of Northern Ireland’s sporting workforce and highlight the outstanding people and projects that have made a big impact over the last year.

Fourteen athletes from Northern Ireland & Ulster secured gold medals as hundreds of competitors from all over Ireland descended on Tullamore Stadium in Offaly, Ireland, for the Irish Life AAI National Junior (Under 20) and Under 23 Championships (Saturday 30th June 2018).

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Leon Reid (Birchfield Harriers / James Hillier) twice bettered his own Northern Ireland 200m record on his way to a podium finish at the British Athletics Championships in Birmingham, England (Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2018).

A number of Northern Ireland junior and youth record holders will travel to Offaly (Ireland) this weekend for the Irish Life AAI National Junior and Under 23 Track & Field Championships in Tullamore (Saturday 30th June 2018).

A meeting was held on Wednesday 27th June 2018 in the City Hall with the City Growth and Regeneration Committee regarding the change of the current route and change of day (Bank Holiday Monday to a Sunday) for the Belfast City Marathon in 2019.

Ireland’s Aidan Hogan and current British 100k Champion Samantha Amend (England) claimed top honours as standards continued to rise with the mercury at the Energia 24-hour International in Victoria Park, Belfast at the weekend (Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June 2018).

British indoor Champion Megan Marrs (City of Lisburn AC / Jerzy Maciukiewicz), teen sensation Sarah Healy (Blackrock AC) and the ever-impressive Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley AC / Niall Wilkinson) starred as athletes from across the globe descended on the sun-soaked Mary Peters Track in Belfast for the Belfast International Meet (Tuesday 26th June 2018)

Northern Ireland’s top athletes will go head-to-head against an abundance of international talent as Athletics Northern Ireland host the annual Belfast International Track & Field Meeting at Mary Peters Track (Tuesday 26th June 2018).

Beechmount Harriers starlet Davicia Patterson again deservedly stole the headlines with a record breaking performance in her favourite 400m event.

The Men’s 200m at the Belfast International is set up to be a battle between Northern Ireland’s best and two European athletes expecting to challenge for honours at Berlin 2018.

Long distance running returns to Victoria Park, Belfast this weekend (Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June 2018) with the AAI National 24-hour Championships incorporated within the popular Energia 24-hour Race. It has already been an interesting and busy year for current National Champion and Irish record holder Eoin Keith, 49, who defends his title at Energia24.

An abundance of junior talent provided an excellent day of competition at the Athletics NI & Ulster Age Group (Under 14 to Under 17) Track & Field Championships, which were hosted by Athletics NI at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast this weekend (Saturday 16th June 2018).

Junior athletes will take centre stage as Athletics Northern Ireland host the NI & Ulster Age Group (Under 14 to Under 17) Track & Field Championships at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast this weekend (Saturday 16th June 2018).

Athletics NI is delighted to release the start list of one of the showcase events at the Belfast International on 26th June, the women's 800m featuring Gold Coast Athletics Captain Ciara Mageean.

Former Love Island reality TV star Theo Campbell (Birchfield Harriers) will make a guest appearance as a wealth of local talent chase the generous £2,000 prize-fund at this weekend’s Northern Ireland & Ulster Senior Track & Field Championships (Saturday 9th June 2018).

Aaron Sexton smashed Jason Smyth’s 12 year old Northern Ireland Under 20 100m record as local athletes secured titles, Championship records and personal bests at the Irish Life Irish Schools Athletics Championships this weekend (Saturday 2nd June 2018).

Top Northern Ireland stars led by example with notable performances as local athletes impressed at events across Europe over the Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 25th – Sunday 27th May 2018).

Athletics NI are excited to announce a prize purse of £2000 for this year’s senior championships. Don’t miss your chance to share in this purse – ENTER SOON - the closing date is next Tuesday 29th May at 12 noon.

Northern Ireland 5,000m and 10,000m record holder Emma Mitchell (QUB AC) and decorated Paralympian Jason Smyth (Derry Track Club) will headline the annual Irish Milers Club Belfast Grand Prix this weekend (Saturday 26th May 2018).

Rio Paralympic footballer David Leavy (City of Lisburn / Ian Neely) has confirmed his successful transition to Para Athletics by winning the 1500m classification race in Rieti last weekend. 

Athletics Northern Ireland are pleased to confirm that the Waterside Half Marathon will be this year’s NI & Ulster Championship Half Marathon. The race will be held on Sunday 2nd September 2018, which is organised by City of Derry Spartans AC and the Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Northern Ireland record holder Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie) hit another European Athletics Championship standard as local athletes impressed at the prestigious Highgate Harriers Night of 10,000m PB’s in London (Saturday 19th May 2018). The prestigious event also incorporated the European Athletics 10,000m Cup and the British Athletics 10,000m Championships.

Pre-race favourites Vincent McKenna (QUB AC) and Jessica Craig (North Down AC) lived up to expectation as they led a capacity field home at the 27th annual Les Jones Memorial 10k (Friday 18th May 2018). The Athletics NI hosted event is a popular annual fixture, organised in memory of late athlete, team manager and Athletics NI Chairman Les Jones, who sadly passed away in 1992.

A capacity field of 400 athletes will descend on the Mary Peters Track this weekend for the 27th annual Les Jones Memorial 10k, an event hosted by Athletics Northern Ireland (Friday 18th May 2018). The popular event is organised in memory of late athlete, team manager and Athletics NI Chairman Les Jones who passed away in 1992.

Four local athletes have been named in a strong Athletics Ireland team for this weekend’s European 10,000m Cup, which will be held as part of the famous Night of 10,000m Personal Bests in Highgate, London (Saturday 19th May 2018).

Finn Valley AC star James Kelly threw an IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships qualifying standard on his way to victory at the 49th annual Donegal Track & Field Championships in Stranorlar at the weekend (Sunday 13th May 2018). On his last throw of the day, James launched his 6kg Shot Putt 18.30m, a new personal best.

UKA Rules for Competition 2018-2020 came into force on 1st April 2018. Rule books are available to download here or at a cost of £5 from the Athletics NI office.

Athletics NI can now announce the third of our Sprints and Throws event group squads for coaches and athletes.  These squads are designed to deliver appropriate physical & technical preparation sessions for athletes and provide development opportunities, networking and planning support for coaches.

Rising stars Ellen McCartney (City of Lisburn AC / Jim Alexander), Megan Marrs (City of Lisburn AC / Jerzy Maciukiewicz), Jack Magee (University of Ulster / Laura Kerr) and Mollie Courtney (Cheltenham AC / David Warner), excelled as local athletes impressed at track and field meetings in Ireland, England and Portugal this weekend (Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May 2018).

Six local athletes have been named in Ireland’s marathon team for this Summer’s European Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.

The 2018 Running Awards were held last Thursday in London’s O2 Arena and homegrown event organisers BORN2RUN Events returned with not one, but two major awards. The Running Awards were established to recognise and reward excellence in all things running related with awards for clothing, footwear, wearable tech and events.

The Athletics 365 Workshop will take place at Mary Peters Track (Old Coach Road, Belfast - Outdoor Track) on Sunday 20th May from 1-5pm.

Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers) was the star performer as hundreds of local athletes braved high temperatures at the 38th annual Virgin Money London Marathon (Sunday 22nd April 2018).

Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers) and Gladys Ganiel O’Neill (North Belfast Harriers) will lead hundreds, if not thousands, of local runners into battle at this weekend’s Virgin Money London Marathon (Sunday 22nd April 2018).

The 2018 Grant Thornton Runway Run has been launched in ceremonial style with a water cannon salute signalling that entries are open for the ever-popular event. The Airport Fire appliances will return to the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport to repeat the eye-catching tradition for the start of the run on Thursday 21 June.

After a hugely successful Commonwealth Games where Northern Ireland won our first track and field medal for 28 years and had a further four athletes in the top eight, the team have today departed the Gold Coast and are heading for Dublin, due to arrive tomorrow afternoon.

Rio Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC) claimed 2nd place in the Garmin Great Ireland Run in Dublin, Ireland, this weekend (Sunday 15th April 2018). The event also incorporated the AAI National 10k Championships.

Kevin Seaward brought a fine Commonwealth Games to a close for Northern Ireland’s athletics team with fourth place in the men’s marathon in Gold Coast on Sunday. 

Kate O’Connor admitted her first taste of the athletics big time has left her hungry for more after coming an impressive eighth place in the Commonwealth Games heptathlon after two days of action at the Carrara Stadium.

IUAA Track & Field Championships 2018: Queen’s University of Belfast will host the Irish Universities Athletics Association (IUAA) Track & Field Championships at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast this weekend (Friday 13th and Saturday 14th April 2018).

Leon Reid claimed Northern Ireland’s first athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games in 28 years by brilliantly taking a bronze in the 200 metres final in Gold Coast on Thursday.

Northern Irish sprinter, Leon Reid, aged 23, eased into second place behind Trinidad’s Jereem Richards in his semi-final for a time of 20.61 seconds, qualifying him sixth-fastest with England’s Zharnel Hughes also progressing.

Ciara Mageean’s brave bid for a medal in Tuesday’s 1500 metres final at the Commonwealth Games came up short in a home straight scramble as the Northern Ireland international came home in 13th place.

Anna McCauley (City of Lisburn AC) and James Kelly (Finn Valley AC) claimed individual gold medals at the Irish Life Juvenile Indoor Championships at the AIT Arena in Athlone (Ireland) this weekend (Saturday 7th April 2018). At the re-scheduled event, there was also National Relay titles for Finn Valley AC and Tir Chonaill AC.

Emma Mitchell smashed her own Northern Ireland record in the 10,000 metres final at the Commonwealth Games on Monday to finish 15th on her international championship debut.

Dempsey McGuigan believes his student stint in Mississippi can help him burn off his hammer rivals when he becomes the first of Northern Ireland’s 13 athletes to chase a medal as the track and field competition begins at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

NI & Ulster Intermediate XC Champion Craig McMeechan (North Down AC) and AAI National Marathon Champion Laura Graham (Mourne Runners) will head a 1,400 strong field at this weekend’s TQ10K, in Belfast (Sunday 8th April 2018).

Ciara Mageean has issued a rallying cry for the Commonwealth Games after being named as captain of Northern Ireland’s athletics team for Gold Coast 2018.

Dame Mary Peters has urged her successors in the Northern Ireland athletics team to seize their moment to impress at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Four members of the Northern Ireland Athletic team competed at the Queensland Track Classic, only one week after flying out to their base camp at Somerset College on the Gold Coast.

Leon Reid reckons it is time he bolted into sprinting’s A-List by joining the 200 metres’ Sub-20 club.  The 23-year-old is among seven of Northern Ireland’s Commonwealth Games athletics team set to open their Australian campaigns in Wednesday’s Queensland Classic meeting in Brisbane.

Commonwealth Youth Games competitor Anna McCauley (City of Lisburn AC) was one of six local athletes who picked up gold medals at this weekend’s Irish Life AAI National Juvenile Indoor Championships at the AIT Arena in Athlone, Ireland (Sunday 25th March 2018).

Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders / Andrew Hobdell) took 77th place at the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships in Valencia on Saturday (24th March 2018) in his final tune-up before running the marathon at the Commonwealth Games next month.

Following the success of the Flahavan’s Porridge Athletics Northern Ireland Junior Cross-Country League, the highest performing primary school was rewarded with a bespoke training session, led by Commonwealth Long Jumper, Adam McMullen.

Five runners from Northern Ireland will represent Ireland at this weekend’s IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain (Saturday 24th March 2018).

Northern Ireland internationals Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC) reigned supreme as nearly 1,000 athletes took on the Queen’s Sport ‘Race around the River’ 5k road race last night (Wednesday 21st March 2018). The popular event again incorporated the Northern Ireland & Ulster 5k (Road) Championships.

Northern Ireland’s athletes are set to get a helping hand in their quest to get ready for next month’s Commonwealth Games in Australia – from Kiwis. Or, precisely, two kiwi fruits per day, after nutritionists at the Sport NI Sports Institute learnt that it may help the 13-strong track and field team hit the ground running Down Under by busting jet lag and speeding up their adjustment to the 10-hour time difference.

Queen’s Sport will welcome close to 1,000 athletes to their annual Deep RiverRock Queen’s Sport ‘Race around the River’ 5k road race tonight (Wednesday 21st March 2018).  The increasingly popular event also incorporates the NI & Ulster 5k (Road) Championships.

Pre-race favourites Philip Goss and Gladys Ganiel O’Neill, both of North Belfast Harriers, emerged victorious as nearly 1,300 competitors took to the streets of Belfast for the St Patrick’s Day SPAR Craic 10k road race (Saturday 17th March 2018).

Northern Ireland and Ulster athletes enjoyed a successful trip to the AIT Arena in Athlone this weekend (Saturday 10th March 2018), returning with no less than 25 gold medals – there were also numerous other medal winning and personal best performances on what was an excellent day of competition.

Athletics Northern Ireland has agreed a new partnership with New Balance which will see Northern Ireland’s leading athletes wear their specially-designed competition kit at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Current Northern Ireland & Ulster Intermediate XC Champion Craig McMeechan (North Down AC / Francis Marsh) starred as a team of eight Northern Ireland & Ulster athletes battled through the mud at the UK Inter-Counties XC Championships at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough (Saturday 10th March 2018).

A team of eight Northern Ireland & Ulster athletes will travel to Loughborough this weekend for the UK Inter-Counties XC Championships at Prestwold Hall (Saturday 10th March 2018).

Athletics Northern Ireland is very pleased to learn that Amy Foster has been added to the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Athletics Team following the withdrawal of an athlete from another sport.

Northern Ireland quartet Amy Foster (City of Lisburn AC / Ireland / David Reid), Megan Marrs (City of Lisburn AC / Great Britain & NI / Jerzy Maciukiewicz), Ciara Mageean (UCD AC / Ireland / Steve Vernon) and Ben Reynolds (North Down AC / Ireland / Tom Reynolds) were in action at IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham (England) this weekend (Thursday 1st – Sunday 4th March 2018)

Day 1 of the Irish Life Health National Juvenile Indoor Championships (Relays and older age field events) will be held on SATURDAY 7TH APRIL. The program on the 18th and 25th March is unaffected.

Last Saturday (24th February) saw the final fixture in the 2017-18 Athletics Northern Ireland Cross Country League: the NI and Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships at Lurgan Park with a record number of competitors taking part.  Double points were on offer and this proved to be a major incentive with 15 teams finishing in the Women’s section and 16 in the Men’s.

Multi-Event star Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s AC Dundalk / Gough, Kerr, McMullen, O’Connor, Reynolds) continued her recent record breaking form with a new Northern Ireland and Irish Under 20 Javelin record this weekend (Sunday 25th February 2018).

Declan Reed (City of Derry AC) and Rebekah Nixon (Dromore AC) were crowned Northern Ireland & Ulster Senior Cross Country Champions after an exciting afternoon of racing in Northern Ireland’s largest urban park, Lurgan Park in County Armagh.

Rising Northern Irish athlete Megan Marrs will make her major championship debut in Birmingham next week after being called into the Great Britain and Northern Ireland squad for the IAAF world indoor championships.

Reigning Champions Aaron Doherty (City of Derry AC) and Jessica Craig (North Down AC) will return to defend their titles as nearly 500 athletes descend on Lurgan for the NI & Ulster Senior XC Championships this weekend (Saturday 24th February 2018).

Queen's University of Belfast AC athlete Emma Mitchell (Eamonn Christie) was again the star performer as local athletes lined up against top opposition from around the world at last night's AIT International Indoor Grand Prix in Athlone, Ireland (Wednesday 21st February 2018)

Celebrating the 12th year of the TQ10K, Athletics NI has launched the race for its 2018 event on Sunday 8th April, starting at an earlier time of 9.15am (1Mile Fun Run) and 10am (10k). The race will incorporate the Novosco 2018 Grand Prix. There will be a specially commissioned ‘Titanic’ medal presented to each participant who completes the 10k route and the 1 Mile Fun Run along with a t-shirt and goodie bag.

Two Northern Ireland athletes have been named in the Athletics Ireland team for the IAAF World Indoor Championships, which will take place in Birmingham from the 1st – 4th March 2018.

City of Lisburn AC star Megan Marrs (Jerzy Maciukiewicz) continued her outstanding recent form with a significant performance at the British Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England (Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th February 2018).

Amy Foster (City of Lisburn AC / David Reid), Adam McMullen (Crusaders AC / Alan Kennedy) and Leon Reid (Menapians AC / James Hillier) starred as Northern Ireland and Ulster athletes produced outstanding performances en-route to an impressive medal haul at the Irish Life AAI National Senior Indoor Championships this weekend (Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th February 2018).

In-form athletes Amy Foster (City of Lisburn AC / David Reid), Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie), Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley AC / Niall Wilkinson), Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s AC Dundalk / Gough, Kerr, McMullen, O’Connor, Reynolds), Leon Reid (Menapians AC / James Hillier) and Adam McMullen (Crusaders AC / Alan Kennedy) are just some of the local athletes who will be chasing gold this weekend in Abbotstown.

Sam Stabler (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) and Laura Weightman (Morpeth Harriers AC) ran out victorious as the Armagh International Road Race again cemented its place amongst the fastest road races in the world.

Commonwealth Games bound Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie), and James Edgar (City of Lisburn AC / Heather Ardis) will lead a strong Northern Ireland & Ulster team into tomorrow night’s Armagh International Road Races (Thursday 15th February 2018).

The Athletics 365 Workshop will take place at Ulster University's Jordanstown Campus (Indoor Track) on Sunday 11th March from 1.30-5.30pm. This workshop will introduce the Athletics 365 Coach Pack and discuss the British Athletics Athlete Development Model.

A host of local talent will travel to Galway this weekend, all in search of gold medals at the Irish Life AAI National Intermediate and Masters XC Championships. The event will take place at the Kilcornan Estate, Clarinbridge in County Galway (Sunday 11th February 2018).

A high level of performance was evident as Athletics Northern Ireland took their NI & Ulster Age Group Indoor Track & Field Championships on the road this weekend (Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February 2018).

Multi-Event star Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s AC Dundalk / Gough, Kerr, McMullen, O’Connor, Reynolds) improved her own Irish Pentathlon records as Northern Ireland & Ulster athletes enjoyed a busy weekend of indoor athletics action (Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February 2018).

Northern Ireland senior international athletes Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) and Jessica Craig (North Down AC) ran out victorious as a record breaking crowd took on the penultimate race of the Athletics NI XC League 2017/18, the Stormont XC in Belfast (Saturday 3rd February 2018).

Athletics Northern Ireland will host the NI & Ulster Age Group Indoor Track & Field Championships at the state-of-the-art AIT Arena in Athlone, Ireland this weekend (Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February 2018).

Amy Foster (City of Lisburn AC / David Reid) and Adam McMullen (Crusaders AC / Alan Kennedy) produced record breaking performances as Northern Ireland and Ulster athletes enjoyed a successful weekend of competition (Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th January 2018).

Craig McMeechan (North Down AC), Rebecca Wallace (Lagan Valley AC), Ian Bailey (Newcastle AC) and Catherine Diver (Beechmount Harriers) struck gold as athletes battled it out in tough conditions at the NI & Ulster Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships (Saturday 27th January 2018).

This Saturday, 27th January Goldie Sayers will travel to Northern Ireland to deliver a Performance Lifestyle Seminar to Youth Academy Athletes. A three-time Olympian, British javelin record holder and 11 time UK Champion, Goldie has dominated her event and is one of athletics’ most popular ambassadors.

The Billy Neill Playing Fields in Belfast will play host to this weekend’s Northern Ireland & Ulster Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships (Saturday 27th January 2018).

Commonwealth Games bound Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s AC Dundalk / Gough, Kerr, McMullen, O’Connor, Reynolds) smashed the Irish Senior, Under 23 and Junior Pentathlon records on her way to victory at this weekend’s AAI National Indoor Combined Events Championships in Athlone, Ireland (Saturday 20th January 2018).

Athletics NI have taken five endurance athletes from the Podium Potential and Commonwealth Potential squads for a supported training camp in Murcia, Spain.

A host of local talent will be chasing National titles at this weekend’s Irish Life Health National Indoor Combined Events in Athlone, Ireland (Saturday 20th January 2018).

Many congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected to represent Northern Ireland & Ulster at the UK Inter Counties XC to be held in grounds of Prestwold Hall, Loughborough on 10th March 2018.

Five Northern Ireland athletes have resumed training in Tenerife having now been selected to represent Team NI in the Gold Coast. Having already attended Athletics NI’s December camp Leon Reid, Adam Kirk-Smith, Kate O’Connor, Ben Reynolds and Adam McMullen are spending a  further 10 days training in the Antonio Domíngez Alfonso stadium in Playa De Las Americas.

Northern Ireland internationals Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) and Catherine Diver (Beechmount Harriers) showed their class to secure top honours in the latest round of the Athletics NI Cross Country League 2017/18, the Mighty Oaks XC (Saturday 13th January 2018).

Congratulations to the 8 athletes selected to represent Northern Ireland & Ulster in the 2018 Armagh International Road Races, which are being held on the Mall in Armagh on the evening of 15th February.

The now famous ‘Acorn Hill’ awaits athletes as they look forward to the sixth round of the Athletics NI XC League 2017/18, the Mighty Oaks Cross Country.  The re-scheduled event, hosted by Acorns AC, will take place on Saturday 13th January 2018 at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown.

Athletics NI can now announce the second date for Sprints Event Group Squad. These squads are designed to deliver appropriate physical preparation sessions and provide development opportunities, networking and planning support for coaches.

The latest Athletics NI Endurance Coaches Network (ECN) took place on 5th January 2018 at the Holiday Inn, the night before the IAAF Antrim International Cross Country competition, with 30 of Northern Ireland’s leading endurance coaches attending.

James Vallely, the new Director of the Armagh International Road Race now in its 28th year, speaking at the race launch last month spoke of the development of the race over the past years to its current status as the top road race event in the world.

Three Northern Ireland and Ulster athletes kicked off their 2018 indoor track and field season this weekend with personal best performances (Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th January 2018).

The first of the Athletics NI Event Group Jumps squads took place last month on December 2nd and saw over 20 athletes and coaches take part in beginner/ intermediate pole vault and horizontal jumps sessions.

Kenyan stars Timothy Cheruiyot and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi secured top honours as a host of world class talent descended on CAFRE Greenmount for the 41st annual running of the Antrim International Cross Country.

A host of World Class talent, including last year’s Diamond League Trophy winner Timothy Cheruiyot (Kenya) and double European XC gold medallist Fionnuala McCormack (Ireland), will be in action at this weekend’s Antrim International Cross Country at CAFRE Greenmount, Antrim (Saturday 6th January 2018).

The Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council (NICGC) has announced its team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. Athletics Northern Ireland is delighted that 12 Track & Field athletes have been selected. With a mix of youth and experience, this is one of the most competitive teams in our history.

The Northern Ireland and Ulster Teams for the IAAF Antrim International Cross Country has been announced. Many congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected to represent Northern Ireland and Ulster in the 2018 IAAF Antrim International, which are being held at the Greenmount Campus, Antrim on 6th January.

Athletics Northern Ireland are delighted to announce Geoff and Jake Wightman as guest speakers for our Endurance Coaches Network to be held at the Holiday Inn the night before the IAAF Antrim International Cross Country competition on 5th January 2018..

Athletics Northern Ireland is pleased to announce AfterShokz as an official headphone partner.

On 12th December ten Commonwealth Games nominated athletes departed for Athletics NI’s preparation camp in Playa Las Americas, Tenerife. Amongst those attending are Ciara Mageean (2016 European 1500m bronze medallist), England-based athletes – Leon Reid, Mollie Courtney and Adam Kirk- Smith and Junior International athletes Jack Agnew and Kate O’Connor.

This weekend saw some great cross country action all over the island of Ireland, with the North West XC, part of the Athletics NI XC League, taking place in Derry-Londonderry. As if this wasn't enough, we also saw the Irish Life AAI National Uneven Age Group & Novice XC Championships in Waterford.

The Mighty Oaks Cross Country races which were postponed owing to the poor weather will now take place on Saturday 13th January 2018.  All other details including timetable and race categories will remain as previously published.  All entries previously received will be carried forward to the new date and online entries have reopened for others wishing to enter.

The Athletics NI XC League continues this coming weekend with City of Derry AC’s annual North West XC (Saturday 16th December 2017).  The Gransha Grounds venue in the Maiden City played host to the British & Irish Masters International XC last month and proved to be a popular course, as it has done in the past also.

It is with great sadness that we have learnt that Joe Sheridan, a life member and former Chairman of Athletics Northern Ireland, has passed away in hospital this morning (Thursday 14th December).  Joe had been ill for some time. 

The NI & Ulster Endurance Squad came together for their second squad of the season on Sunday 10th December in Jordanstown.

There are two key deadlines approaching for athletes to register their interest for selection to Northern Ireland and Ulster Teams in forthcoming endurance events.

A battling fifth place finish for the Senior Men’s team was Ireland’s highlight of the European Cross Country Championships in Slovakia this weekend (Sunday 10th December 2017).  This was backed up by strong performances by the Senior Ladies team and also the Junior athletes involved in the squad.

Five athletes from Northern Ireland will represent Ireland at this weekend’s European Cross Country Championships in Slovakia (Sunday 10th December 2017).  

Neil Johnston (Springwell Running Club) and Paul Carroll (Annadale Striders) retained their titles, while in-form Laura Bickerstaff (Dromore AC) took top honours in the ladies race as athletes turned out in force for the Malcolm Cup XC 2017 (Saturday 2nd December 2017).

Olympian Paul Pollock ran out victorious in senior men’s race as local athletes impressed at this weekend’s AAI National Senior & Juvenile Cross Country Championships in Abbotstown (Sunday 26th November 2017).

The first of the 2017-18 Athletics NI Event Group Throws Squads took place on Sunday 19th November at Ulster University’s Jordanstown Campus. The Squad Day was attended by 24 athletes, many accompanied by their coaches. 

Irish Life AAI National Senior XC Champion Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders / Andy Hodbell) is one of five Northern Ireland based athletes who have been named in the Ireland team for the upcoming European XC Championships in Slovakia in two weeks (Sunday 10th December 2017).

Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC) and Emma Mitchell (QUB AC) were crowned Northern Ireland & Ulster 10k (Road) Champions as a capacity field of 1,000 runners took on Willowfield Temperance Harriers’ Seeley Cup 10k road race in Belfast (Saturday 25th November 2017).

A capacity crowd of 1,000 competitors will descend on Ormeau Park in Belfast for this weekend’s Seeley Cup 10k road race, which incorporates the Northern Ireland & Ulster 10k (Road) Championships (Saturday 25th November 2017).

World M70 Masters Mountain Running Champion Jim Patterson (Newcastle AC) struck gold as Northern Ireland secured a plethora of individual and team medals at the British & Irish Masters XC International XC in Derry / Londonderry on Saturday 18th November 2017. Locally based athletes who represented Ireland also impressed, with Paddy Hamilton (Slieve Gullion Runners) and Declan Reed (City of Derry AC) claiming podium places.

Northern Ireland and Ireland international, Breege Connolly (City of Derry AC), has bettered the Athletics Ireland European Championships marathon standard with a 2:37:26 finish at Valencia Marathon yesterday (Sunday 19th November 2017).

Following an extremely successful Event Group Sprints & Hurdles and Throws Squads on 19th November, Athletics NI are excited to announce the Event Group Jumps Squad on 2nd December.

The eyes of the British & Irish masters running associations and their many followers will be on Northern Ireland’s maiden city, Derry/Londonderry this coming weekend.

Athletics NI Staff and Coaches are hosting a ‘Physical Preparation for Endurance’ at the Sports Centre at Ulster University, Coleraine on 6th December 2017.

Eskander Turki (Monaghan Town Runners) and Edel Monaghan (Enniskillen RC) secured the top prizes in the NI & Ulster Novice XC Championships as hundreds of athletes, of all ages, battled their way through the mud at the impressive Finn Valley Complex in Stranorlar (Sunday 12th November 2017).

Athletics NI is excited to announce the launch of our new Athlete Development Pathway. The Pathway maps out how we will support and develop athlete-coach pairs from the fundamentals to the podium.

The impressive Finn Valley Complex in Stranorlar (County Donegal) will play host to this weekend’s Northern Ireland & Ulster Uneven Age Group and Novice Cross Country Championships (Sunday 12th November 2017).

Entries are now open for the Antrim International Cross Country at Greenmount on 6th January 2018. This is the 41st Edition of the competition which has been held at various venues across Northern Ireland since it began at Mallusk in 1977. The event is in its 9th year at Greenmount. The meeting is one of the highlights of the World Cross Country calendar, forming part of the IAAF’s World Cross Country series.

Following the successful first instalment of the 2017/2018 NI & Ulster Endurance Squad in September, Athletics NI are pleased announce the second date for this year’s NI & Ulster Endurance Development Squad. The single day squad will take place on Sunday 10th December 2017 at Ulster University Jordanstown from 9.30am-5.00pm.

Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie) set another Northern Ireland record and Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders / Andrew Hobdell) returned to competitive action, as both claimed podium places at the prestigious Leeds Abbey Dash 10k in England this weekend (Sunday 5th November 2017).

These workshops aim to address the needs of local councils, clubs, coaches and other program facilitators regarding the successful organisation of a Couch to 5K programme. 

Athletics NI are excited to announce dates for Event Group Sprints & Hurdles and Throws Squads. The squads deliver appropriate physical preparation sessions and provide development opportunities, networking and planning support for coaches.

In recognition of achievements in 2017, a number of junior track & field athletes have been awarded support from the Mary Peters Trust at an awards ceremony at the Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast.

A number of NI & Ulster Athletes excelled  at the recent Irish Schools Multi Event Championships held in Athlone. 

Mourne Runners athlete and winner of this year’s Belfast City Marathon, Laura Graham, again deservedly stole the headlines as she retained her Athletics Ireland National Marathon title at the Dublin Marathon (Sunday 29th October 2017).

Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor provided the perfect setting for an excellent day of cross country action, which saw Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC) and Rebekah Nixon (Dromore AC) claim top honours in the Bobby Rea XC and junior athletes deliver some impressive performances in the NI & Ulster Even Age Group XC Championships.

This weekend sees the second round of the Athletics NI XC League, with the Bobby Rea Memorial XC Races taking place in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor, as part of a programme of events which include the Northern Ireland & Ulster Even Age Group XC Championships (Saturday 28th October 2017).

Coach Development and Physical Preparation Lead, Laura Kerr, has released details of Athletics NI’s Open Academy to take place at Ulster University, Coleraine on 5th November.

Athletics Northern Ireland’s nominees for the 2018 Commonwealth Games team have been shortlisted.

Scotland based Northern Ireland international Fionnuala Ross (Shettleston Harriers / Armagh AC) continued her recent good form with a Scottish National Half Marathon gold medal after securing 3rd place at the Great Scottish Run, which included the Scottish Athletics Half Marathon Championships (Sunday 1st October 2017).

Nominations are invited for three roles on the UK Member’s Council (UKMC), the custodians of the long-term interests of athletics in the UK.

- Commonwealth Champ Aaron Sexton launches Junior Cross Country League

 

Hundreds of athletes descended on the home of athletics in Northern Ireland, the Mary Peters Track in Belfast, for the NI & Ulster Senior Track & Field Championships, which also incorporated the Under 18 and Under 20 age group Championships (Saturday 10th June 2017).

17th March, 2017 Middle Distance Seminar Trevor Painter –Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, Antrim (7-9.30pm)

Team leaders treated to an extensive tour of venues, hotels and facilities to be used during the Championships Organisers also presented key information at the World Para Athletics Sport Forum in Frankfurt World Para Athletics Championships to run from 14-23 July at the London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Athletics Northern Ireland is seeking to recruit a Performance Therapist to support their Youth Academy training camp in Portugal (10th-23rd April 2017.)  The information below serves as an invitation for practitioners who meet the criteria to submit their CV and a covering letter as an expression of interest to fulfil the role.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Brian Kingston and UK Athletics’ Chair Ed Warner were among the guests of honour at this year’s Athletics NI Annual Awards Evening. Other guests included Chair of the Mary Peters Trust Eilish Rutherford and local pioneering Olympian Maeve Kyle OBE.

Director of Coaching and Athlete Development Tom Crick is to leave Athletics Northern Ireland for a new role in Qatar.