Soldiers compete at Army athletics championships in Catterick

Soldiers from across the region went head-to-head as the Army Sport North Inter-Unit Athletics Championships 2026 returned to Catterick for a day of fierce competition and qualification battles.

Held at Leyburn Athletics Stadium, the championships brought together Army units from across the north to compete in a packed programme of track and field events, with performances contributing towards overall unit rankings in the wider Army Sport North Trophy competition.

Athletes competed in disciplines ranging from explosive 100m sprints to endurance events such as the 5000m, alongside technical field events including the high jump, long jump and javelin.

Staff Sergeant Steven Hasse, the event organiser, said the championships remain one of the flagship events in the Army Sport North calendar.

He said: “The Army Sport North Inter Unit Athletics is one of the biggest events on the Army Sport North calendar.

“The championships form part of the Army Sport North Trophy which includes football, cross country, swimming and hybrid fitness amongst other sports.

“Points are given to units based on both participation and finishing position. The trophy culminates with an award ceremony and is used to encourage sports participation to infuse teamwork, morale and physical fitness as well as a tool for recruitment and retention.”

The structure of the competition placed a strong emphasis on teamwork and squad depth, with units penalised if they failed to field competitors in any event.

Relay races proved especially important, offering double points and often making the difference in the standings.

Second Lieutenant Milo Blaky from the Light Dragoons, who competed in the 1500m race, said the event was an important opportunity both competitively and socially.

He said: “Today has been a great opportunity to test myself and my abilities.

“I’m doing the 1500-meter race today, it’s a really good opportunity to compete, meet new people within the Army and compete in the North.”

The championships also acted as a qualifier for the Inter Unit Team Finals, with only the highest-performing teams progressing to the next stage of the competition.