2026 Global Running Calendar

The 2026 running season is shaping up to be one of the most significant in recent history. From the 130th anniversary of the Boston Marathon to the debut of the high-stakes World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, the calendar is packed with elite milestones.

Whether you are a competitive athlete planning your next PB attempt or a fan tracking the World Marathon Majors, this live-updated reference covers every major road, track, and trail event across the globe.

Month Date Event Location Key Detail
JAN 10 World Cross Country Champs Tallahassee, USA Purest elite distance test.
11 Houston Marathon & Half Houston, USA Sea-level “PB Factory.”
18 Dubai Marathon Dubai, UAE Historically ultra-fast desert race.
25 Osaka Int. Women’s Marathon Osaka, JPN Elite women-only championship.
FEB 1 Marugame Half Marathon Marugame, JPN World-class depth; sub-60 pace.
7 Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half RAK, UAE Often the fastest 21.1K of the year.
15 Seville Marathon Seville, ESP Europe’s flattest winter course.
22 Osaka Marathon Osaka, JPN High-density Japanese elite field.
MAR 1 Tokyo Marathon πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Tokyo, JPN Major. First of the season.
8 Nagoya Women’s Marathon Nagoya, JPN World’s biggest women-only race.
8 Lisbon Half Marathon Lisbon, PRT Iconic downhill bridge start.
20–22 World Indoor Champs ToruΕ„, POL Global track titles in Poland.
APR 11 Two Oceans Marathon (56K) Cape Town, RSA “World’s Most Beautiful” Ultra.
12 Paris & Rotterdam Marathons FRA / NED Rotterdam is a preferred speed site.
20 Boston Marathon πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Boston, USA Major. 130th Anniversary.
26 London Marathon πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ London, UK Major. Deepest pro field.
MAY 2–3 World Athletics Relays Gaborone, BOT 2027 World Championship qualifier.
3 Prague Marathon Prague, CZE Scenic European classic.
10 Copenhagen Marathon Copenhagen, DEN High-efficiency urban course.
12–17 African Athletics Champs Accra, GHA Continental track & field titles.
24 Cape Town Marathon Cape Town, RSA WMM Candidate / Age Group Worlds.
JUN 5–7 Euro Off-Road Running Champs Kamnik, SLO Elite trail & mountain titles.
14 Comrades Marathon (~90K) South Africa The “Down Run” in 2026.
JUL 27–1 Commonwealth Games Glasgow, SCO Major global multi-sport event.
AUG 5–9 World Athletics U20 Champs Eugene, USA Stars of tomorrow at Hayward Field.
10–16 European Athletics Champs Birmingham, UK Biggest track event of the summer.
22–3 World Masters Athletics Daegu, KOR Global titles for ages 35+.
24–30 UTMB Mont-Blanc Chamonix, FRA The “World Cup” of trail.
30 Sydney Marathon πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Sydney, AUS 7th Major. Harbour Bridge finish.
SEP 4–5 Diamond League Final Brussels, BEL The ultimate track season finale.
11–13 Ultimate Championship Budapest, HUN New! Top 8-16 elites; $10M purse.
13 Great North Run Newcastle, UK World’s largest half marathon.
19–20 World Road Running Champs Copenhagen, DEN 1-Mile, 5K, & Half Marathon titles.
19–4 Asian Games Athletics Nagoya, JPN Major continental championships.
27 Berlin Marathon πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Berlin, GER Major. World Record factory.
OCT 11 Chicago Marathon πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Chicago, USA Major. Fastest course in the US.
25 Amsterdam & Frankfurt NED / GER Frankfurt has the indoor finish.
NOV 1 NYC Marathon πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ New York, USA Major. The tactical world finale.