Athletics has a set of rules for Competition and a series of official notification periods for proposed changes to them. We are now entering into one of those notification periods (April 2025) in readiness for the new rules to be published for April 2026.
This link opens the notice of invitation to propose rule changes. It outlines the timeline and the process whereby changes may be made.
Proposals for changes can be made using the form that is accessed through this link
UK Athletics governs the Rules for Competition for the following disciplines:
- Track and Field Competition
- Road Running Competition
- Cross Country Running
- Fell and Hill Running
- Race Walking
- Trail Running
The UK Athletics Board have appointed a Rules Group who assess the proposals and make recommendations to the Board in respect of those proposals and the consequent changes to the rules. The Rules group comprises of the following people.
The Rules Group has a terms of reference that can be viewed through this link
Current Rules
UKA Rules of Competition 2024-2026 [published April 2024]
2024 – 2026 UKA Rule Change Summary
2024 – 2026 Rule Updates after 1 April 2024 (Updated 20/03/2025)
Rule Book Sales
UK Athletics Rules for Competition are published every two years and copies are available to buy at Neuff Athletics Equipment: www.neuff.co.uk, Email sales@neuff.co.uk and Telephone 01752 893742.
Combined Events Scoring Guidance – March 2022
A number of options are available for scoring Combined Events competitions as determined by the nature of the event, age group and the Competition Provider. Please click here to view guidance that explains those options and provides links to help determine the most appropriate method for each competition.
Shoe Compliance
The World Athletics Shoe Rule introduced in July 2020, reference TR5.2 – 5.6, does apply to competitions in the UK and athletes who wear shoes listed by World Athletics as not compliant with the Rules will be liable to disqualification and any records set will not be ratified.
Where a Call Room is operated it is the responsibility of the Call Room Manager to apply appropriate checks on equipment. At other events the Referee will resolve any issues.
In case of doubt the list of shoes that are approved and not approved are detailed in World Athletics documents – Manuals and Guidelines – at Technical Information | Official Documents (worldathletics.org)
IPC Athletics Rules and Regulations
Please visit the IPC website for the most up to date information relating to disability athletics competitions or follow this link to view the IPC document.