Training in this group aims to progress athletes from the multi-skills foundation stage to the endurance event group, including the main middle distance track events and cross country. Training focuses on: running technique, the continued development of the athlete’s pure speed and aerobic capability and also includes sessions which will develop their emerging anaerobic energy system.

Athletes at this stage will continue to take part in other athletics events as well as sport outside athletics, but will benefit from attending as many of the group’s training sessions as possible. This will ensure they gain a balance of training methods. For the older athletes in the group more formal strength and conditioning work is introduced at this stage.

Training sessions are designed to be challenging but in a fun and supportive environment.

As athletes mature, they need to train more if they are to reach their potential, so we encourage additional runs to be made on 1 or 2 of the days when there is no training.