Entries are now open for the England trial and selection race. Details below for all four home nations.
The International Competition
British & Irish Masters Cross Country International 2026
- Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026
- Venue: Abbotstown, Dublin
- History: Held annually since 1988, rotating between England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland
- Guidelines: British and Irish Masters Cross Country International Guidelines
Full details of the international will be confirmed nearer the date — see the BMAF Fixtures page for updates.
Selection for each home nation’s team is made separately by that nation’s own selectors, using their own criteria and trial races. Details for each are below.
ENGLAND
EMAA XC Trial and Selection Race 2026 — now also the England Masters Cross Country Championships
- Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
- Venue: Betley Court Farm, Main Road, Betley Village, near Crewe, CW3 9BH
- Entries: via OpenTrack
- Race times: Women/Men M65+ (4.8km) 13:30; Men M35–64 (8km) 14:10
New for 2026: this race doubles up as the first-ever England Masters Cross Country Championships. Medals will be presented to the first three finishers in each age category/gender. The first three finishers in each age category are also automatically selected for the England international team.
Selection process:
- Teams of 5 (plus up to 3 reserves) at ages 35–54
- Teams of 4 (plus up to 3 reserves) at ages 55–79 (women) and 55–84 (men)
- Women 80+ and men 85+ may apply for an individual place (maximum 4 per age group)
- The first three runners home in each age group are automatically selected; remaining places are decided by the selection committee, based on trial performance and, where applicable, discretionary submissions
- Cross country performances are prioritised over road performances; parkrun times are not considered
- Entrants must be a member of an Area Masters Club (second claim is acceptable)
- The England team will be announced from the week of 5 October 2026
Contact: Roland Gibbard (EMAA XC Team Manager) or Steve Watmough (EMAA Chair and Acting Cross Country Secretary) — via the EMAA XC page
SCOTLAND
- Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
- Venue: Tollcross Park
- Details: Scottish Veteran Harriers Club fixtures page
NORTHERN IRELAND
- Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
- Details: Northern Ireland Masters Athletics Association fixtures page
WALES
Welsh selection has not yet been formally announced for 2026. In previous years it has worked as follows, and a similar approach is expected:
- Selection is made by the Welsh Athletics selectors, primarily on cross country performances across the Gwent League and North Wales League
- Selectors also take into account key qualifying road races and previous BMAF Championships/International performances
- Athletes not competing in either league are encouraged to make sure their performances are known to the selectors
Check the Welsh Athletics news page for the 2026 announcement, or contact Bernie Jones for the current process.
A note on selection
Each home nation runs its own trial and applies its own selection criteria — please check the details for your own nation above rather than assuming the England process applies elsewhere.
With thanks to Steve Watmough (EMAA) for the details behind this update. Photos from previous internationals are available on request.
The image associated with this post is generated by Artificial Intelligence. Any resemblance to any living person or to any national strip is purely coincidental