1,500 Young Londoners race at the iconic Parliament Hill, starting the 2025/26 London Youth Games season

8th Nov 2025

Yolanda Martin

Over 1,500 young athletes from 32 London boroughs at Parliament Hill Fields on Saturday 8 November for the London Youth Games Cross Country, the opening event of the 2025/26 season.

The atmosphere on Hampstead Heath was electric as hundreds of schools, clubs and borough teams come together for one of the most iconic fixtures in the London Youth Games calendar.

Many of Team GB’s biggest names began their journey on this very course – including four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah (Hounslow), 2024 World and Olympic champion Alex Yee (Lewisham) and double Olympic medallist Sam Reardon. Sir Mo Farah said: “I remember running at the London Youth Games when I was younger. Sport has the power to bring people together from all boroughs and hopefully there is some talent competing this year who can go on to great success in the future.”

Joe B from Lewisham said: “It feels great to be able to say that you’ve done the same race as such great runners and athletes like Alex Yee and Mo Farah. It’s just really nice to be able to put yourself in that situation where you can represent your borough.”

Tricia Leman, Deputy Mayor of Camden attended the event to hand out medals. She said: “What the Games are giving these young people is self-confidence, it’s giving them life skills, and the pleasure of being part of a community with the other young people of their age. They’re learning something here that really is going to stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.”

Thanks to the City of London Corporation, the South of England Athletics Association for their support and to all Borough Team Organisers for their support in making the day happen.

Congratulations to the medalists of LYG Cross Country:

Overall Borough winners – Male: Gold – Richmond, Silver – Bromley, Bronze – Havering

Overall Borough winners – Female: Gold – Bromley, Silver – Richmond, Bronze – Barnet

U11 Boys: Gold – Croydon, Silver – Redbridge, Bronze – Bromley

U11 Girls: Gold – Havering, Silver – Sutton, Bronze – Lewisham

U13 Boys: Gold – Bromley, Silver – Barnet, Bronze – Redbridge

U13 Girls: Gold – Southwark, Silver – Ealing, Bronze – Richmond

U15 Boys: Gold – Merton, Silver – Haringey, Bronze – Wandsworth

U15 Girls: Gold – Havering, Silver – Greenwich, Bronze – Lambeth

U17 Boys: Gold – Havering, Silver – Bromley, Bronze – Bromley

U17 Girls: Gold – Westminster, Silver – Enfield, Bronze – Hammersmith and Fulham

Full results here: https://results.sporthive.com/events/7392163320901402624

Supporters who enjoyed the LYG Cross Country event can also sign up to run for the London Youth Games Foundation charity at a future Half Marathon. These efforts will raise funds to help London Youth Games continue creating life-changing opportunities for young people across the capital. Find out more: https://www.londonyouthgames.org/run-for-charity