The Amateur Athletic Association of England or AAA is the oldest national governing body for athletics in the world, having been established on 24 April 1880. Historically it effectively oversaw athletics throughout Britain and Ireland. Its role changed to support regional athletic clubs within England alone. This role was effectively taken over by England Athletics in 2005 and the Amateur Athletic Association of England was absorbed into that organisation. It is now concerned with the development of young athletes and has taken on the role of safeguarding the history of the sport and still awards trophies to elite athletes.
The British Athletics Championships is the premier national championship in track and field held in the United Kingdom, and are organised by British Athletics. The event has doubled as the main trials meet for international team selection for major events in which Great Britain and Northern Ireland compete, including the Olympic Games, the IAAF World Championships in Athletics and the European Athletics Championships. Only British athletes may formally compete, though in some circumstances British club-affiliated foreign athletes may take part as guests.
The 1980 UK Athletics Championships was the national championship in outdoor track and field for the United Kingdom held at Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium, London. Three events were contested separately at Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh – the women's 1500 metres and men's 800 metres and 5000 metres. This set of events served as the British Olympic Team Trials for the 1980 Summer Olympics. Two new events were contested for the first time: a men's 10,000 metres track walk and a women's 5000 metres track walk.
The 1984 UK Athletics Championships was the national championship in outdoor track and field for the United Kingdom held at Cwmbran Stadium, Cwmbran. It was the third time the event was held in the Welsh town, following on from its hosting in 1977 and 1982. The competition was affected by heavy winds that year, particularly the jumps and sprints.
The 2006 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 15 to 16 July at the Manchester Regional Arena in Manchester, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 2005 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 9–10 July at the Manchester Regional Arena in Manchester, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 2002 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 12 to 14 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 2001 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 13–15 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 2000 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 11–13 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 1998 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 24 to 26 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 1997 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 24 to 25 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. First the first time, it was not considered the national championships for the United Kingdom, as the 1997 British Athletics Championships attracted a higher standard of national competitors than the AAA one. The British Athletics Federation's decision to hold its trials separately was taken due to the organisation's financial problems, which would ultimately result in its bankruptcy.
The 1996 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 14 to 16 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 1995 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 15 to 16 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The 1994 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 11–12 July at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, England. It was the first and only time that the AAA Championships was held at that venue. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom.
The WAAA Championships was an annual track and field competition organised by the Women's Amateur Athletic Association (WAAA) in England. It was the foremost domestic athletics event for women during its lifetime.
The 1993 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 16 to 17 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom, ahead of the 1993 UK Athletics Championships.
The 1992 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 27 to 28 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It served as the British trials event for the 1992 Summer Olympics and was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom, ahead of the 1992 UK Athletics Championships.
The 1991 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 26 to 27 July at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom, ahead of the 1991 UK Athletics Championships.
The 1990 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 3–4 August at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom, ahead of the 1990 UK Athletics Championships.
The 1988 AAA Championships was an outdoor track and field competition organised by the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), held from 5–7 August at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England.It served as the trials for the 1988 British Olympic team. It was considered the de facto national championships for the United Kingdom, ahead of the 1989 UK Athletics Championships.
