World Athletics Road Running Championships 2026
Sunday, September 20, 2026 · Copenhagen, Denmark
The World Athletics Road Running Championships returns to Copenhagen for world title races at the half marathon, 5K, and one mile — the only championship occasion where every nation's top road runners converge on a single start line. The half marathon crowns official world champions, making it the road runner's answer to the track World Championships.
How to watch →Ones to watch
The elite field is announced closer to race day. Here are the stars lighting up the 2026 season — any of whom could line up.
Alexander Mutiso
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:03:38
Alphonce Felix Simbu
🇹🇿 Tanzania · Marathon 2:02:47
Amane Beriso
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Beatrice Chebet
🇰🇪 Kenya · 5000m 13:58.06
Benson Kipruto
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:02:50
Bertukan Welde
🇪🇹 Ethiopia · Marathon 2:16:36
Brigid Kosgei
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:14:04
Cameron Myers
🇦🇺 Australia · Mile 3:46.06
Cole Hocker
🇺🇸 United States · 1500m 3:27.65
Dorcus Ewoi
🇰🇪 Kenya · Mile 4:17.62
Eliud Kipchoge
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:01:09
Ethan Strand
🇺🇸 United States · Mile 3:46.97
Faith Kipyegon
🇰🇪 Kenya · 1500m 3:48.68
Geoffrey Toroitich
🇺🇬 Uganda · Marathon 2:03:37
Hawi Feysa
🇪🇹 Ethiopia · Marathon 2:17:39
Hellen Obiri
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:15:53
Jacob Kiplimo
🇺🇬 Uganda · Marathon 2:00:28
Jakob Ingebrigtsen
🇳🇴 Norway · 1500m 3:27.95
John Korir
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:01:52
Joyciline Jepkosgei
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:15:55
Loice Chemnung
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:19:37
Mary Ngugi-Cooper
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:20:07
Nikki Hiltz
🇺🇸 United States · Mile 4:17.49
Rosemary Wanjiru
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:21:05
Sabastian Sawe
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 1:59:30
Sharon Lokedi
🇰🇪 Kenya · Marathon 2:18:51
Sifan Hassan
🇳🇱 Netherlands · Marathon 2:13:44
Tadese Takele
🇪🇹 Ethiopia · Marathon 2:03:37
Tigst Assefa
🇪🇹 Ethiopia · Marathon 2:11:53
Yared Nuguse
🇺🇸 United States
Yomif Kejelcha
🇪🇹 Ethiopia · Marathon 1:59:41