Mayo Uneven Age & Senior Cross Country Championships 2026
The Mayo Uneven Age & Senior Cross Country Championships, hosted by Swinford AC, will take place on:
📅 Sunday, 11th October 2026, Mellett's Hill, Swinford
Parking - F12 Y5Y0
This year, Mayo Athletics is trialling pre-entry for both Mayo Cross Country Championships, so all athletes wishing to compete must be entered by their club in advance.
For some of our younger athletes, this may be their first ever athletics competition. Please don’t be put off by the word “Championships” — cross country is a great introduction to competition, and for our younger athletes the emphasis is very much on taking part, representing Westport AC, enjoying the experience and doing their best. ❤️💚
Please note:
There will be no refunds for athletes who are entered but do not compete on the day.
Parents should therefore only submit an entry where they reasonably expect their child to take part.
❤️💚 Uneven Age Race Distances
The race distances for the Even Age Championships are:
U9 (2019 & 2018) Girls & Boys – 1000m
U11 (2017 & 2016) Girls & Boys – 1500m
U13 (2015 & 2014) Girls & Boys – 2500m
U15 (2013 & 2012) Girls & Boys – 3500m
U17 (2011 & 2010) Girls & Boys – 4500m
U19 (2009 & 2008) Girls & Boys – 4500m
Senior Women & O65 Men – 4500m Senior Men – 6000m
Further information regarding the exact venue, timetable and race arrangements will be published once confirmed.
❤️💚 How the Even & Uneven Age Championships Work
The Mayo Cross Country Championships are held over two separate competitions.
Even Age Championships
U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18
Uneven Age Championships - (Mellett's Hill, Swinford, Sunday 11th October)
U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17
Athletes may compete in both championships.
In one championship, an athlete competes in their own age group or “good age”.
In the other championship, they compete up one age group.
For example:
An U9 athlete competes at U10 in the Even Age Championships and then competes at U9 in the Uneven Age Championships.
This allows athletes the opportunity to compete at both Mayo Cross Country events.
❤️💚 Club Team Medals
There is also a club team competition.
A club must have a minimum of four athletes competing on the day in the relevant age group to be eligible for a club team medal.
For this reason, we would really encourage athletes to take part where possible.
Even if an athlete does not expect to challenge for an individual medal, their finishing position can still be very important to the Westport AC team result. ❤️💚
❤️💚 First Time Competing?
For many of our younger athletes, this may be their first experience of a cross country race.
There is no need to be nervous about entering.
The aim is to:
❤️ Take part
💚 Represent Westport AC
❤️ Experience a competitive athletics event
💚 Run as part of a team
❤️ Have fun
💚 Do your best
Cross country is very different from track racing and every athlete contributes to the team simply by getting out there and completing their race.
Our coaches will help prepare the athletes during training and will explain what to expect before race day.
❤️💚 Connacht Cross Country Championships
Athletes who wish to progress to the Connacht Cross Country Championships are normally required to compete in the relevant Mayo Cross Country Championship.
This requirement applies to juvenile athletes unless an official exemption has been granted.
The Mayo Athletics exemption criteria and process are available below/on this page.
Parents should familiarise themselves with these requirements if their child hopes to compete at Connacht level. Please see the
Mayo Cross Country Dispensation & Eligibility Policy here
The Dispensation process can be viewed here
Please use the links below to enter and secure your bus ticket, please change the "Contact info" - Full Name to your child's name and year of birth. Closing date for entry is Thursday 1st October at 8pm.
