League Week 1 (9th May 2026)
Golden League takes centre stage as GB clubs make their mark
Week 1 of the International League opened with a fierce reminder of just how unforgiving the Golden League can be. The top flight, also listed as National League 1.1 International, immediately split into title challengers, mid-table scrappers and early relegation danger, with the GB clubs right in the thick of the drama.
BA Athletic Club and Guanacos both made perfect starts with 12 league points, while Mallen IF and Ragnar sit close behind on 10. Marsa Sports Club complete the early top five, but from a GB point of view the headline belongs to Quemerford Harriers, who opened in sixth place with eight points and a strong 259 event score.
Weymouth Bay Sharks also started respectably in seventh on six points, but the table already looks far less comfortable for Hacksaws and Catalytical AC. Both sit inside the Golden League relegation places after the opening week, with positions 13 to 16 dropping out of the top flight. Hacksaws are 13th on two points, while Catalytical AC are 14th, also on two.
Golden League: Quemerford set the GB standard
Quemerford Harriers were the best of the GB clubs in the Golden League, taking sixth overall and backing up that league position with several elite individual displays.
The performance of the whole week came from Sean Grieveson, who produced a brilliant 51.19 in the 400 metres for 1,129 points. That was the highest-scoring GB performance in the entire results file and made him the clear Athlete of the Week. Quemerford also had Matilda Easton flying in the 100 metres, clocking 12.28 for 1,102 points, while Mia McLeish delivered a superb 16:33.54 in the 5000 metres for 1,100 points.
That combination of sprint speed and distance strength gave Quemerford a high-quality opening week. They are not yet in the Golden League title conversation, but sixth place leaves them well clear of the early relegation zone and gives them a platform to attack from.
Weymouth Bay Sharks keep themselves in the fight
Weymouth Bay Sharks finished seventh in the Golden League with six points and a 253 event score. It was a steady opening rather than a spectacular one, but the Sharks had enough quality to suggest they can climb if they sharpen a few areas.
Bastien Gabriel led their scoring with a fine 1:00.82 in the 400 hurdles, worth 1,098 points. Diego Henriquez added a strong 4:04.21 in the 1500 metres for 1,063 points, while Adrian Rada’s 2:04.53 in the 800 metres was another useful contribution.
The Sharks are sitting just below Quemerford and safely above the drop zone for now, but the Golden League rarely gives clubs much breathing room. Their Week 1 return looks solid, but they will want to convert more of that depth into league points quickly.
Hacksaws face an early top-flight test
Hacksaws had a tough opening week, finishing 13th in the Golden League with two points and an event score of 189. With 13th to 16th relegated, they are already in the danger zone.
There were still several performances worth shouting about. Kyle McDougall was excellent over 5000 metres, running 14:20.59 for 1,061 points. Álvaro Tamudo gave the club a second high-class score with 52.90 in the 400 metres, worth 1,057 points, while Juliano Aires produced 52:55.82 in the 10km race walk for 1,014 points.
Hacksaws also had one of the strongest field-event marks of the week, with Armando Tormo clearing 1.98 in the high jump for 981 points. The talent is there, but the club needs a broader scoring spread if it is to escape the Golden League bottom four.
Catalytical AC need a response after Week 1
Catalytical AC also opened in the relegation zone, sitting 14th with two points and a 146 event score. Their league position is worrying, but they did produce one of the standout technical performances of the week.
Phoebe Hinchcliffe was outstanding in the discus, throwing 67.95 for 1,022 points. Heather Fotheringham added 18.36 in the 100 hurdles for 1,007 points, and Maddison Fullarton ran 58.73 in the 400 metres for 1,006 points.
The top-end quality is clearly there, but Catalytical need more athletes scoring at that level across the event programme. After Week 1, their priority is simple: get out of the drop zone quickly.
Golden League meeting notes
Meeting A was dominated by BA Athletic Club, who scored 339 overall and collected 41 medals, including 17 golds. Quemerford Harriers were third in that meeting with 259 points and 23 medals, while Hacksaws finished sixth with 189 points and 14 medals.
Meeting B belonged to Guanacos, who produced a huge 361 total and a remarkable 44-medal haul, including 29 golds. Weymouth Bay Sharks were fourth in that meeting with 253 points and 24 medals, while Catalytical AC finished seventh with 146 points and seven medals.
League 2: promotion hopes and strong GB depth
Below the Golden League, the strongest immediate stories came from Level 2, where several GB clubs immediately established themselves near the top of their divisions.
Kingstonians are right where they want to be, leading League 2.1 with 12 points and a 292 event score. John Traynor was their top performer with 51:33.88 in the 10km race walk for 1,072 points, while Amelia McMillan ran 17:03.73 in the 5000 metres for 1,034 points. Ashley Winters also impressed with 12:19.89 in the 3000 steeplechase.
E-LDN Surge made an even louder statistical statement in League 2.2. They sit second with 12 points and a superb 318
event score. Declan Lasley’s 1:00.76 in the 400 hurdles was worth 1,100 points, Milkica Kolekjevska ran a sharp 24.28 in the 200 metres for 1,091, and Ethan Busby recorded 4:02.83 in the 1500 metres.
Reading Palm Faces are fourth in League 2.2 with 10 points. John Riordan’s 1:00.64 in the 400 hurdles was worth 1,104 points, Melissa Devonish added 17.85 in the 100 hurdles for 1,070, and John Foster ran 52.79 in the 400 metres.
Bumble Bees AC sit fifth with eight points, but their event score of 288 suggests they were more competitive than the table alone shows. Spencer Easton ran 3:58.75 in the 1500 metres for 1,112 points, Evie Gardiner scored 1,091 in the 400 hurdles, and Aimee Redpath added a strong 4:26.21 in the 1500 metres.
Pineapple AC are seventh with six points, but produced two of the biggest individual performances of the entire GB week. Adam Mudge ran 3:57.22 in the 1500 metres for 1,126 points, the second-highest GB score overall, while Carly Forbes produced 55:24.50 in the 10km race walk for 1,115 points. Samuel Boyle also went over the 1,000-point barrier with 1:01.00 in the 400 hurdles.
League 3: Heworth and Leeds lead the charge
At Level 3, several GB clubs made bright starts and immediately pushed themselves into the upper end of their respective divisions.
Heworth Harriers are top of League 3.2 with 12 points and a 316 event score. Owen Ridgeon ran 4:02.77 in the 1500 metres for 1,076 points, Brandon Nicholson scored 1,071 in the 400 hurdles, and Luke Perry clocked 17.81 in the 110 hurdles.
Olympians also opened in first place in League 3.1 with 12 points. Harriet Fulton’s 57:42.35 in the 10km race walk led the way, supported by Ellis Tosh in the 400 hurdles and Steven Golabek in the 3000 steeplechase.
Leeds United AC are second in League 3.2 and currently in a promotion position. Amy Bedford was excellent over 400 metres, running 56.99 for 1,073 points, while Arran McDonald added 52.92 in the men’s 400. Jenna Brady’s 57:35.43 in the 10km race walk gave Leeds another major scoring result.
Wacky Racers are third in League 3.2 with 10 points. Daniil Yurievskij’s 2:03.62 in the 800 metres was their leading mark, with Darren Bone strong in the 10km walk and Landon Trujillo effective in the 400 hurdles.
Yellerbellies sit fourth in League 3.4 on 10 points, led by Vladimiro Blaiotta’s 53.02 in the 400 metres, Layla Donaldson’s 1:07.64 in the 400 hurdles and Alexander Kennedy’s 18.00 in the 110 hurdles.
Iron Road Runners are sixth in the same league with eight points. Ashleigh Donald produced a fine 36:45.97 in the 10000 metres, Sarah Lavety scored heavily in the 100 hurdles, and Kayla Leggat kept the points coming in the 400 hurdles.
Belfast Blitz, The Titans, Sutton Athletic Club, Filham Excelsior and Caledonian all sit in the middle section of Level 3. DC AC, however, are 14th in League 3.1 and already inside the relegation places.
League 4: South Hams make the biggest statement
Level 4 also produced several strong GB performances, with a number of clubs immediately positioning themselves near the top of their leagues.
South Hams Harriers produced one of the most eye-catching club displays of the week. They lead League 4.2 with 12 points and a huge 381 event score. Phoebe Damant’s 58:32.28 in the 10km race walk, Rhiannon Swankie’s 15:05.61 in the 3000 steeplechase and Jonathan Rowe’s 2:07.83 in the 800 metres gave them depth across the endurance programme.
Newcastle Athletic Club are second in League 4.3 with 12 points and a 345 event score. Lisa Douglas topped their list with 58:00.35 in the 10km walk, while Dustin Rogers and Jonas Andersson added valuable sprint points.
RaySen Academy are also second, this time in League 4.8, with 12 points. Jay Bingham, Darren Shannon and Ewan Thompson led the way as the club put itself straight into promotion contention.
Risca Harriers AAC are third in League 4.7 with 10 points and a strong 325 event score. Caitlyn Russell’s 26.26 in the 200 metres was their top mark, alongside Augusto Nazaré and Eva Phillip.
BRC are fourth in League 4.8, also on 10 points, and look well placed after Week 1. Cassandra Sellers, Aaron Ferguson and Hayden Simmons provided their strongest scores.
Candas sit fourth in League 4.4 with nine points, led by Lucy Spedding’s 58:48.45 in the 10km race walk and Carla Mair’s 400 hurdles performance.
Further down, Grimsby Harriers, Budd Park Darts and Fulvio Sports all opened in the lower middle of Level 4. Budd Park Darts had a standout from Shaun Peters, whose 1:02.50 in the 400 hurdles was worth 1,038 points.
Angels Athletic Birmingham are 10th in League 4.4 on four points, but their individual results included strong efforts from Aneta Hourová in the 400 metres, Refugio Pardo in the 400 hurdles and Maggy Meroth in the 800 metres.
Springburn Harriers and Carmarthen Harriers are both 12th, just above the relegation line, while Monkstown Spartans are 13th and already in the danger zone.
League 5: Glasgow Jaguars start like promotion contenders
Level 5 produced some impressive opening-week club totals and several standout individual performances.
Glasgow Jaguars made the best start of any GB club at this level, topping League 5.3 with 12 points and a powerful 382 event score. Graeme Bowman ran 4:26.46 in the 1500 metres, Demi Hall scored well in the 400 hurdles and Ellis Nugent added a solid 3000 steeplechase performance.
Taunton Harriers sit fourth in League 5.13 with 10 points. Lydia O’Donnell’s 1:14.16 in the 400 hurdles was their best result, with Georgia Cooper and Isabelle Keay also contributing.
Hawarden Rangers are eighth in League 5.7 with six points, while Kings Park Harriers and Great Britain both sit ninth in their respective leagues. Great Britain had the stronger individual highlights, led by Thandiwe Dlanga’s 58.85 in the 400 metres for 1,002 points.
Chios Track Club are 10th in League 5.3 with four points, but Alexandra Lineen produced one of the best lower-league field performances of the week with 49.87 in the javelin.
League 6: Kubes make a perfect start
Kubes could not have asked for a better start to their Level 6 campaign. They lead League 6.6 with 12 points and a huge 416 event score.
Taylor Townsley led their scoring with 1:08.20 in the 400 hurdles, Harvey McConnell added 1:00.32 in the 400 metres and Barbara Kővágó ran 5:09.81 in the 1500 metres. It is early, but Kubes already look like one of the clubs to watch at the base of the pyramid.
Athlete of the Week
Sean Grieveson – Quemerford Harriers
Sean Grieveson takes the Week 1 Athlete of the Week award after producing the highest-scoring GB performance in the dataset. His 51.19 in the 400 metres was worth 1,129 points and gave Quemerford Harriers a true Golden League headline performance.
It was not just a good club performance; it was the benchmark mark of the week across all GB results.
Best performances by event group
Sprint performance of the week
Sean Grieveson’s 51.19 in the 400 metres was the leading sprint performance and the top score overall. Matilda Easton’s 12.28 in the 100 metres for Quemerford and Milkica Kolekjevska’s 24.28 in the 200 metres for E-LDN Surge also deserve mention.
Middle-distance performance of the week
Adam Mudge of Pineapple AC produced the best middle-distance result, running 3:57.22 in the 1500 metres for 1,126 points. It was the second-highest GB score of the week and a superb Level 2 performance.
Long-distance performance of the week
Mia McLeish of Quemerford Harriers led the long-distance rankings with 16:33.54 in the 5000 metres for 1,100 points. Kyle McDougall’s 14:20.59 in the men’s 5000 metres for Hacksaws was another excellent Golden League result.
Race walk performance of the week
Carly Forbes of Pineapple AC produced the best race walk result, clocking 55:24.50 in the 10km race walk for 1,115 points. John Traynor of Kingstonians was the best male race-walk scorer with 51:33.88 for 1,072 points.
Jump performance of the week
Armando Tormo of Hacksaws led the jumping events with 1.98 in the high jump for 981 points. In a difficult week for Hacksaws overall, his performance was an important reminder of the club’s individual quality.
Throw performance of the week
Phoebe Hinchcliffe of Catalytical AC produced the best throw, launching the discus to 67.95 for 1,022 points. That was one of the key reasons Catalytical still had something positive to take from a tough Golden League opener.
Combined events performance of the week
Nadia Bottazzini of Hacksaws led the combined events with 6,393 points in the heptathlon, worth 913 performance points. Ryan Redmond of Quemerford Harriers topped the men’s pentathlon with 4,398, Ellie Menzies of Bumble Bees AC led the women’s pentathlon with 4,335, and Kai McAuliffe of Iron Road Runners produced the top decathlon with 8,460.
Closing verdict
The Golden League already looks brutal. Quemerford Harriers and Weymouth Bay Sharks have started with enough quality to look upward, but Hacksaws and Catalytical AC are under immediate pressure in the relegation places.
Below the top flight, the GB picture is full of promise. Kingstonians, E-LDN Surge, Heworth Harriers, Olympians, Leeds United AC, South Hams Harriers, Newcastle Athletic Club, RaySen Academy, Glasgow Jaguars and Kubes all opened in promotion or near-promotion territory.
There were no PB or SB markers supplied in the results workbook, so this report has avoided labelling performances as personal bests or season bests. Even without those tags, Week 1 produced plenty to talk about: a 1,129-point Athlete of the Week, several 1,100-point performances, big lower-league club scores and a Golden League table that already has GB clubs fighting at both ends.