Athletics

Athletics offers the widest range of choice of any sport. Athletics involves competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking.

Get Involved

An Overview of Athletics

Athletics not only offers a range of disciplines across track, field, road and off-road but also provides an incredible diversity of events for different people with different skills and abilities. For competitive athletes the events tend to be decided by who finishes quickest over a certain distance or jumps/ throws the furthest.

For many other people athletics is all about fitness and participation and events such as Park Run have shown the power of the sport. In many different ways athletics really is one of the most exciting, diverse and vibrant sport there is. For many the sport provides the ultimate challenge to their competitive abilities.

Glasgow and surrounding areas is the host to some of Scotland's biggest athletics clubs offering high level environment's for performance athletes but also friendly social sessions for everyone to participate in the sport. To find some of these organisations click here

Benefits

Athletics has so many benefits across the different disciplines that it is difficult to list them all. However, here are some below:

FUN! Athletics can be fun. Whether it is beating your best time, running with friends and or a fun session for children - Athletics can be enjoyable for everyone!
Athletics allows you to see your improvement. Constantly striving to create your personal best!
Athletics is great for developing fundamental movement skills; the ABC'S which are used across sport - Agility, Balance and Coordination.
Field events such as shot put and the hammer help develop physical strength.
Cardiovascular benefits from the running disciplines; the variety of distances allows you to improve

Costs

For recreational running you will only need to be dressed in suitable running attire with comfortable shoes. As you progress in Athletics, like all sports, items become a little more specific and costly. To join a club costs will vary, however athletics clubs do try and keep the costs of membership down to allow greater participation in the sport.

Involvement

If you want to run, jump or throw, athletics provides the perfect platform to compete. The Glasgow Athletics Association and Glasgow Sport can provide information and support on how you can begin taking part whether as an athlete, coach, official or volunteer.

Adaptations and Equipment

Equipment needed is dependent on the discipline. But the key piece of equipment needed is some running shoes.

Local Campaigns

Hutchesons' Community Sport

A hub for Community Sport and Activities!

Maryhill and Summerston Community Sports Hub

Maryhill & Summerston Community Sports Hub provides the local people opportunities to participate in a variety of sport and physical activities to help local people be more active and healthier.

Scotstoun Community Sports Hub

Scotstoun CSH supports the development of inclusive sports clubs and physical activity opportunities to provide opportunities for more people to get active. There are lots of sports on offer such as A

Summer of Fun

Celebrating 10 Years On from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014. Summer of Fun aims to provide free and affordable events and participation programmes across the city for Glaswegians to enjoy.

Glasgow FrontRunners

We are an award-winning inclusive, community based running club for LGBTQIA+ people and our allies. Glasgow FrontRunners is Scotland's largest LGBTQIA+ focussed sports club, and the second largest UK FrontRunner club, with over 200 members.

Shettleston Harriers

Shettleston Harriers can be found at Glasgow Club Crownpoint Sports Complex, and welcomes all ages (5 to 108). If you want to run, throw, jump or to get involved in volunteering, we have something for you.

Red Star Athletics Club

Red star AC is an athletics club for athletes with disabilities. We cater for all ages and disabilities.

Dennistoun & Area Community Sports Hub

We are a partnership of local sports & activity providers supporting the community in all things sport and physical activity. We are made of committee members and partners with the focus of our community at the centre of the discussions.

Glasgow Athletics Association

The Glasgow Athletics Association promote and support athletics in Glasgow with the help of Scottish Athletics and the Glasgow Clubs. We host a range of events throughout the year - competitions, training opportunities, holiday camps etc.

Glasgow Southside Slowies

Welcome to the Southside Slowies. Established in September 2022, we are a free community group of people who recognise that running socially is easier and more fun than running on your own.

Bellahouston Harriers

Founded in 1892, the club has a long & prestigious history. New members, whatever their standard are always welcome and are assured of a friendly welcome. Please get in touch if you'd like to come and try a session with us!

Glasgow Pole Vault School

We want to; 1. increase participation levels in pole vault, in Glasgow 2. increase the number of coaches delivering pole vault in Glasgow 3. organise, regular pole vault competitions, in Glasgow 4. deliver pole vault camps in Glasgow 5. have fun

Springburn Harriers

Springburn Harriers are one of Scotland’s fastest growing Running and Athletics Clubs and would love for you to join us. We provide athletic activities for members aged from 7 into our senior section.

Maryhill and Summerston Community Sports Hub

Maryhill and Summerston Community Sports Hub provides the local community with opportunities to participate in a variety of sport and physical activities to help local people live more active and healthier lives.

Kings Park Junior parkrun

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) which takes place at King’s Park, Carmunnock Road, Glasgow, G44 5HL.

Elder Park - Park Run

What is Elder Park parkrun? A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

Elder Park Junior parkrun

What is Elder Park junior parkrun? A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds).

Jiggly Joggers

Jiggly Joggers are a group of ladies all shapes and sizes from all backgrounds who were all equally terrified of the thought of running. Now we proudly pound the streets of the East End surprising ourselves each week and having a lot of laughs!

Fusion Triathlon Club

Everyone is welcome at Fusion Triathlon Club – we are open to people of all ages and abilities. We have multiple coached swim, bike and run sessions every week based around the Glasgow. So getting your running shoes out and come along!

Bellahouston Road Runners

We are one of Scotland’s largest adult road running clubs, based in the South Side of Glasgow. If you’re looking to develop and improve your running, we think we have something to offer you!

Maryhill Harriers

Maryhill Harriers is one of the oldest running clubs in Glasgow and Scotland. We are affiliated to Scottish Athletics and are based in the north west of Glasgow, catering for runners from the age of 9.

Victoria junior parkrun

Victoria junior parkrun, Glasgow is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for 4 to 14 year olds held every Sunday at 9:30am. Event takes place in Victoria Park, Victoria Park Drive North, Glasgow. G14 9NW.

West End Road Runners

WERR, West End Road Runners is a friendly running club in the west end of Glasgow. We're a community club as opposed to an uber competitive running club and we have runners at all ages and stages.

Mount Vernon Runners

Mount Vernon Runners is a free running group open to all ages and abilities. We meet at 6.30pm each Wednesday at Mount Vernon Community Centre. Whether your goal is to run 5k, 10k, a half marathon, a full marathon or just to gain some general fitness.

Garscube Harriers

Garscube Harriers is a forward-thinking club, unique in its developmental approach to training and racing. We are an inclusive club in the north-west of Glasgow and are always happy to welcome new members. Training on Tuesdays/Thursdays at Garscube Sports

Victoria Park City of Glasgow Athletics

Is one of the top athletic clubs in Scotland. From its base in north-west Glasgow, it has continually been at the forefront of Scottish Athletics. Formed in 1930, we have coached many talented athletes at National and International level.

Scotstoun CSH

Scotstoun Community Sports Hub works with local voluntary led sports clubs to develop inclusive opportunities in sport and physical activity.

Active Glasgow East

Active Glasgow East serving the areas of: Baillieston, Garrowhill and Mount Vernon by working with a range of clubs and community organisations.

Drumchapel Joggers

Drumchapel Joggers provide FREE Couch to 5K programme that helps beginner joggers to build confidence and get you moving more. The volunteers are trained, friendly jog leaders and will suppport you to build activity levels over a number of weeks.

DACSH Run, Jump, Throw Athletics P4-P7 (8 - 12yrs)

This is an athletics session focussing on Run, Jump & Throw fundamentals. Delivered by our qualified coaches through fun games & activities!

Shettleston Harriers RJT - P1-P3 (5 - 7yrs)

This is an athletic session focussing on Run, Jump & Throw fundamentals. Delivered by qualified coaches from Shettleston Harriers through fun games & activities!

Jiggly Joggers: 5k+ Mixed Ability

Jiggly Joggers provide a FREE 5K+ programme that helps joggers who have completed their couch to 5k journey to take the next steps. The volunteers are trained, friendly jog leaders and will suppport you to build activity levels over a number of weeks.

Athletics

An Overview of Athletics

Benefits

Costs

Involvement

Adaptations and Equipment

Find Athletics Clubs/Groups Near You

National Governing Bodies

Contact us