LONDON YOUTH GAMES KICK OFF MILESTONE 50TH YEAR WITH MEMORABLE CROSS-COUNTRY EVENT AT PARLIAMENT HILL

On Saturday, over 1,500 young athletes from over 30 London boroughs played their part in launching the 50^th year of the London Youth Games, when competing in the first event of the Games’ 2026/2027 season – the annual cross-country event, with the Golden Games opener watched on by well over 1,000 parents, borough organisers, volunteers, supporters and borough VIPs.

Held at Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath, in the borough of Camden, competitors proudly representing their respective boroughs took their places at the start line in eight separate races, four for boys and four for girls, in four separate age categories, from under 12s through to under 18s.

After all races had been completed, and collective run times calculated, it was the borough of Bromley who took the honours in the overall girls’ borough team category, pipping Richmond in second and Havering in third to the trophy, whilst in the boys’ borough team category, the same three boroughs were again celebrating on the podium, with Richmond topping the table and lifting the trophy, followed by Havering in second and Bromley in third.

The cross-country event, one of London Youth Games’ most iconic and well-supported events, has helped launch the careers of some of Team GB’s most successful athletes over the years, including the likes of four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, double Olympic medallist Sam Reardon, and two-time Olympic & Commonwealth Gold medallist Alex Yee.

Competitors were treated to a good luck video from Yee himself, published on London Youth Games’ social media channels the day before the event, with the triathlete commenting on the role the Games had played in the early stages of his own career, saying:

“As a young athlete, long before I became an Olympian, I too ran in this event, proudly representing my borough of Lewisham, and I remember it fondly. The London Youth Games played a big part in my early career, so as they enter their 50th year and kickstart their Golden Games, here’s wishing them every success in such a special year ahead.”

In its fifty years, over 2 million young Londoners have competed in London Youth Games events, from across all 33 boroughs of the capital, but the impact of the Games is so much more than the sport itself. The Games has played a leading hand in helping to boost the confidence of countless young people, created lasting friendships, has positively impacted the health and wellbeing of so many young Londoners, played an important role in developing social cohesion and community pride across the capital, and has helped harness a real sense of belonging to the boroughs the youngsters are representing.

On a successful day, having secured the silver medal in the opening race of the Golden Games, in the under 16 girls’ race, Sklya from the borough of Southwark commented:

“It was a hard race but it felt really good to finish with the silver medal. I’m really happy with my race and in a close finish it was great to have the support of the crowd and spectators, who gave me lots of energy for the sprint finish at the end. I’m really proud to represent Southwark and I had some friends running with me which was nice. It’s really cool that the likes of Mo Farah and Alex Yee have run in this event, as it just goes to show you what’s possible, as they both started here”.

Present at the event, representing Enfield, was borough Mayor, Councillor Emma Supple, who said:

“Events like this are just wonderful, so important. Bringing nearly two thousand youngsters together in real competition, that’s what matters and brings the best out in you.

“Representing your borough alongside your peers and friends in your own age group, really helps to develop a team spirit and the ripples you’re creating here are really positive. We’ve got young people that are developing a habit of sport, and as they grow into their adult lives, the skills they’re learning here will stand them in great stead.

“I’m so proud to be the mayor of Enfield in this fiftieth year of the London Youth Games to help celebrate it and move it forwards.

“We’re all conscious of children not getting out enough and being active, so all of these young people here today are the lucky ones. They will wake up tomorrow feeling so proud of their achievements, hopefully go home and tell their friends, and they’ll have that sense of pushing forwards and feeling the best of themselves – that’s what we want for everybody – to feel that they’ve got potential and there’s more to come.”

 London Youth Games would like to thank all those involved in making the opening event of the Golden Games such a special and memorable event and congratulations to everyone who took to the course and ran for their boroughs.

Podium finishes and all race times can be seen below…