Originally Posted by
FellJunior
The change has already been made in that 2016 Junior Championship age groups are based on age on 31st December 2015; a move in qualification of one day from 1st January 2016. Thus, all competitors born in the same relevant 2 calendar years will now run together.
In 2017 the change for championship competitors is neutral. As the article states, age group labels are increased by 1 year, e.g. U14 becomes U15, and qualifying date moves back to 31st December 2017. Thus the same group of competitors will run together as if no change had been made for 2017.
The article giving "advance notice" makes no mention of changes to UKA permitted distances, presumably because they are not determined by age groups, but age on day of race. The onus will remain on race organisers to ensure that the race distance does not exceed that permitted for the youngest potential entrant in that race.
I am not party to the discussions on U18/U20/U23 provision, but my championship statistics show that U18 has never been as well supported as the younger age groups, U20 has rarely been viable and may not even survive as a one-off race, U23 struggles to grow. We have to find a way of helping and encouraging young people make the transition into senior events.
P.S. Duncan is no longer Junior Co-ordinator.