So you’ve smashed Results Day and you’re off to uni. Now what? If you’re even slightly into running, jumping, or throwing (or you’re athletics-curious), this guide gives you the no-nonsense, click-save-for-later lowdown on how uni athletics actually works-socials, racing, kit, costs, training, BUCS, LUCA… the lot.
TL;DR (because you’re packing for halls)
- Every uni has an athletics club (often called “Athletics & Cross Country”). All levels welcome-absolute beginners to GB vests.
- You can try everything: sprints, middle-distance, distance/XC, hurdles, jumps, throws, relays, road.
- It’s affordable and mega social. Most clubs subsidise entries, travel, and kit where they can.
- LUCA = the London & SE student athletics league. Expect cross country in autumn/winter, indoors before winter break, outdoors in spring.
- BUCS = national student champs. Aim for them or come for the vibes- is fine.
- Your move: find your club, hit a taster session, and sign up for your first race.
Find your uni club · See upcoming events
What is LUCA (and why should you care)?
LUCA (London Universities & Colleges Athletics) is the student athletics league for London and the South East. We run the friendliest, most chaotic-in-the-best-way calendar you’ll ever meet: cross country league races in parks across London, a big Indoor Championships at end of term 1, an Outdoor Open and sunny Outdoor Championships to cap the year. You’ll compete for your uni, rack up points, meet hundreds of other students, and collect stories you’ll talk about for years.
Throughout the year clubs also compete for the LUCA Community Cup (new this year!). This competition recognises the clubs who go above and beyond to build, support, and grow the university athletics community. It’s not about how fast you run or how high you jump, it’s about the impact your club makes across four key areas: 1) Volunteering & Event Support, 2) Outreach, Development & Engagement, 3) Social Media & Promotion and 4) Club Development.
You can help your clubs earn points across the year for activity in each of the four categories.
At the end of the season awards night, the club with the most points in each category are awarded a prize. The club with the most points is crowned LUCA Community Cup Winner.
The Three Seasons of Uni Athletics
1) Term 1 = Cross Country + Base Miles
- Park courses, squad road runs, parkrun takeovers, hill reps, and hot chocolate afterwards.
- New? XC is ridiculously welcoming. You can jog it, race it, or use it to build fitness for track.
- Look out for brand new competitions this season too(!). Did someone say XC Relays!?
- Term 1 climaxes with our indoor champs at Lee Valley. 60s, 200s, 400s, 800s, 1500s, 3k, relays, plus jumps and throws—fast, loud, and warm (bliss).
1) Term 2 = Cross Country + The mud ends
- Two more XC league races. BUCS XC (somewhere in the country – whole weekend of running and partying).
- BUCS Indoors – at Sheffield Institute of Sport. Lots of other sports events going on across a long weekend. Not to be missed.
- Road returns. Hyde Park Relays – the oldest and largest student relay competition. Big social after. Lots of fun.
- Outdoor Open – a ‘give it a go’ style outdoor track and field event in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium.
3) Term 3 = Outdoor Track, varsity and socials
- 100 to 5k, steeplechase, relays, hurdles, jumps, throws- works.
- Club meets, open graded races, varsity matches, LUCA Outdoor Champs, and BUCS Outdoors-your big season finale.
- End of season social – we end the year in style.
“But I’m not fast.” Good. You don’t have to be.
University athletics is for everyone: first-ever 5k runners, social joggers, parkrun obsessives, power sprinters, technical hurdlers, hammer throwers, long jumpers, and people returning from injury. Most clubs have:
- Ability-grouped sessions (run at your pace)
- Beginners’ plans and return-to-run support
- Coaches & captains who actually reply to messages
- Social miles + coffee, brunches, and big nights out
- Welfare leads for wellbeing and accessibility
What training actually looks like
A typical week might include:
- Track session (speed or intervals)
- Distance session (threshold/tempo)
- XC hills or fartlek
- Strength & Conditioning (often in the uni gym)
- Easy runs & socials
- Technical slots for hurdles, jumps, and throws
Show up to a taster or welcome week session and the captains will plug you into the right group.
Kit: What you really need (and what can wait)
Immediate wins
- Decent running shoes you’re comfy in. These don’t need to cost the world.
- Weather-proof layers (this is England – you will meet rain)
- Water bottle, small backpack, and snacks
Nice-to-have soon
- Spikes for XC/track (ask to borrow a pair first or try them on in-store)
- Uni vest/singlet for races (pride + great photos)
Money talk: costs, explained
- Club membership: varies by uni, typically covers training & admin. Approx £40.
- Facility fees: some track sessions/gym access may have a small charge. Some clubs cover this.
- Race entries: LUCA events are kept affordable. BUCS is pricier but clubs often subsidise. Some clubs cover, some ask athletes to pay (in full or part).
- Travel: many away days are partially covered or organised as group travel.
If cost is a worry, speak to your club treasurer or welfare lead—there’s usually a solution.
Competing: how it works (zero stress)
- No trials needed for LUCA races – sign up and take part.
- Track & field: clubs set teams for relays and champs, but there are loads of open events where you can chase PBs.
- BUCS selection: your club will share standards/entry plans; don’t count yourself out! BUCS XC is especially inclusive for a broad range of abilities.
- Para-athletics: many events support classification categories—talk to your club early so we can help.
Study vs. sport: can you do both?
Absolutely. Training schedules are flexible, and you’ll meet students balancing labs, placements, dissertations…the lot. In fact, there is evidence that university sport often helps your grades (routine, friends, sanity).
Safety, injuries, and wellbeing
- Warm up, cool down, hydrate, and listen to your body.
- Tell a captain/coach about niggles early-prehab > rehab.
- Welfare contacts are confidential and approachable.
- Speak to your GP/uni health services for medical concerns.
Your first month: the 6-step game plan
- Join your uni club and WhatsApp (if they have it).
- Go to a taster (or three). Bring a friend.
- Pick a first race: a LUCA XC, a relay, or a low-pressure open meet.
- Set a tiny goal (e.g., “finish XC smiling”, “sub-25 parkrun”, “learn blocks”).
- Turn up twice a week-consistency beats hero workouts.
Join your club now · Check the LUCA calendar
BUCS, LUCA, opens… decoding the jargon
- LUCA: London Universities and Colleges Athletics – London/South East student league (XC, Indoors, Outdoors). Run by students and alumni. Lots of opportunities to get involved in committees, training events, socials etc.
- BUCS: British Universities and Colleges Sport: National championships – massive atmosphere, lifetime memories.
- Open Meets: Enter yourself, race at your pace, chase PBs.
- Varsity/Relays: Friendly rivalries, loud cheering, elite levels of post-race chips.
- ‘UH’: United Hospitals. The collective of the 5 London medical schools + RVC. Has a XC, Indoor and Outdoor championship embedded within LUCA events.
Big myths, busted
- “You have to be fast.” Nope. Start where you are.
- “It’s expensive.” Clubs keep it student-friendly; help exists. Athletics is among the cheapest uni sports.
- “I missed school athletics, too late now.” Uni is the perfect reset.
- “It’s only track.” We’ve got road, XC, relays, throws, jumps-pick your fun.
- “I’ll be judged.” Promise: people are too busy wheezing up hills to judge you.
Want to do more than run?
Love graphics, photography, data, coaching, or event-day hype? Clubs (and LUCA) always need volunteers, officials, photographers, announcers, social media stars, pacers, marshals-it all counts and it all builds your CV.
Ready?
You don’t need the perfect plan or perfect shoes. You need one taster session and a bit of courage. The rest-PBs, mud, medals, mates-shows up faster than you think.
Start here: Find your uni club · Follow LUCA on Instagram · See all upcoming events
Welcome to student athletics. Let’s go.
