World Athletics has launched the inaugural World Treadmill Championship, a new competition designed to bridge the gap between elite athletes and amateur runners. Known as Run X, the event invites participants to record a 5km run on a treadmill at official centers to compete for a $100,000 prize pool and the title of world champion. The initiative aims to leverage technology to attract a broader audience to the sport, including younger demographics and those who prefer indoor training for safety or convenience.
Runners have until 24 January 2027 to complete their 5km qualification for free. Following this phase, the top 25% of participants across age categories ranging from 18 to 75+ will move on to regional competitions. Ultimately, the 10 best men and women in each category will qualify for the world finals, which are scheduled to take place in Italy in March 2027. Organizers are also offering wildcard entries to events such as the 2027 World Road Running Championships in China as an additional incentive.
While the competition is currently limited to 20 countries, organizers hope to expand participation. The event has drawn interest from professional athletes, including British marathon runner Charlotte Purdue, who participated in a qualification event in Southampton. Beyond the immediate competition, World Athletics president Lord Coe noted that the championship represents an opportunity to innovate within the sport, with future ambitions to potentially integrate treadmill running into Esport competitions within the next five years.
