World Athletics unveils new championship run on treadmills
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 28.10.25. | 16:05
The innovative 5km competition promises to redefine how people experience running by combining cutting-edge technology and global accessibility
World Athletics has taken a bold leap into the future of running with the launch of RUN X™, the first-ever World Treadmill Championship.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
This is in partnership with Technogym, the global leader in wellness and the official fitness equipment supplier of the last 10 Olympic Games.
The historic event was unveiled on Monday, 27 October in Milan, Italy, in the presence of Technogym Founder and CEO Nerio Alessandri, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, and world 10,000m champion Jimmy Gressier.
The innovative 5km competition promises to redefine how people experience running by combining cutting-edge technology and global accessibility.
Designed to eliminate geographical and weather limitations, RUN X™ will allow runners from all corners of the world to compete indoors on connected Technogym treadmills in gyms and sports centres.
For more than four decades, Technogym has led the fitness industry in innovation and performance training. With equipment installed in over 50,000 centres across 120 countries, the company has built the world’s largest connected treadmill ecosystem.
Its long-standing campaign “Let’s Move for a Better World” continues to promote active lifestyles and sustainable well-being, values that align seamlessly with World Athletics’ vision.
Sebastian Coe hailed the partnership as a game-changer for the sport.
“We are delighted to partner with Technogym for the World Treadmill Championship,” said Coe.
“Together, we aim to create a virtual competition space that builds a global community, entertains, and motivates amateur runners to connect and compete with a worldwide virtual community.
By combining the best of Technogym’s running technology with the reach and universality of athletics, this event promises to revolutionise the world of e-sports,” he said.
How RUN X™ Works
Starting in early 2026, fitness and wellness clubs worldwide will be able to affiliate and host the first edition of the championship. Runners will then register from the second quarter, with the main competition scheduled for the final quarter of 2026.
Participants will run a 5km race on Technogym-connected treadmills, with results automatically uploaded to a real-time online leaderboard. The rankings will display performances from around the world, ensuring a fair and transparent global contest.
Top finishers in each country, categorised by age group, will progress to regional events and ultimately qualify for the World Final, which will feature the top 10 male and 10 female runners battling for the first-ever treadmill world title.
The grand finale will take place at an iconic location in late 2026, with a total prize pool of US$100,000. In addition, World Athletics will award wildcards for selected athletes to compete in some of its premier events, including the World Road Running Championships.
Technogym CEO Nerio Alessandri expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that it aligns with the company’s mission to promote global fitness participation.
“We are very proud of this partnership with World Athletics, which perfectly aligns with our long-term mission to engage more and more people in regular physical exercise.
RUN X™ will connect millions of runners with our partner fitness centres around the globe, while our exclusive Technogym Ecosystem will serve as the driving force behind this new competition,” Alessandri said.
