History
The organisation of the sport saw the formation of the Amateur Athletic Association in 1880, the first such association. The first English Cross Country Championships under the control of the English Cross Country Union were held. Until the formation of the Women’s Amateur Athletic Association in 1922 the sport was effectively men only. A separate Road Walking Association was formed in 1907. An International Federation was formed on July 17th 1912, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). A separate women’s athletics International Federation, the F.S.F.S was formed in 1924 and later this became part of the IAAF. In the early 1930’s as the IAAF would only accept one body to represent the UK at International Championships the four counties in the UK, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, formed the British Amateur Athletic Board.

In March 1991 the British Athletic Federation was formed. The Federation began functioning as the single governing body for athletics in the UK on 1st October 1991 and on the same day the BAAB ceased to exist. The AAA and WAAA amalgamated to form the AAA of England. The consultation process of the previous six months identified three key principles that should underlie a new UK body for athletics:

• It should co-ordinate and support, rather than intervene, govern or control.
• It should be designed to be effective, rather than be driven by political or representative concerns.
• It should have defined and stronger links with clubs and athletes.

UK Athletics came into being in early February 1999.

Facilities and Equipment required
Come dressed, as you would do any other regular sports activity. If it’s cold and you are competing outside wear a tracksuit and/or waterproof jacket. As athletes become more committed to the sport, they usually buy their own spikes to run in but these are not essential when you are first starting out. Clubs and tracks provide throwing implements and hurdles etc. Don’t forget to take a drinking bottle with water or other fluid replacement with you. There are in the region of 1500 Clubs in the UK and you are advised to contact them.

Benefits of participation
Athletics is a great sport because it offers something for everyone, no matter what their shape or size. It’s the ultimate way to stay fit and healthy and because you can measure the distance you throw or jump or the time it takes to run a race you can follow your progress very easily. It is also a sport that combines individual achievements with team competitions and the sense of belonging you get from joining a club. Although most athletics is club based, it is primarily an individual sport in which the individual can set their own goals and work towards them. In turn the well being of feeling fit and the discipline of working towards goals has many advantages.