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 π―π΅ | 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. | |
| 20β22 | 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 πΊπΈ | Boston, USA | Major. 130th Anniversary. | |
| 26 | London Marathon π¬π§ | London, UK | Major. Deepest pro field. | |
| MAY | 2β3 | 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. | |
| 12β17 | African Athletics Champs | Accra, GHA | Continental track & field titles. | |
| 24 | Cape Town Marathon | Cape Town, RSA | WMM Candidate / Age Group Worlds. | |
| JUN | 5β7 | Euro Off-Road Running Champs | Kamnik, SLO | Elite trail & mountain titles. |
| 14 | Comrades Marathon (~90K) | South Africa | The “Down Run” in 2026. | |
| JUL | 27β1 | Commonwealth Games | Glasgow, SCO | Major global multi-sport event. |
| AUG | 5β9 | World Athletics U20 Champs | Eugene, USA | Stars of tomorrow at Hayward Field. |
| 10β16 | European Athletics Champs | Birmingham, UK | Biggest track event of the summer. | |
| 22β3 | World Masters Athletics | Daegu, KOR | Global titles for ages 35+. | |
| 24β30 | UTMB Mont-Blanc | Chamonix, FRA | The “World Cup” of trail. | |
| 30 | Sydney Marathon π¦πΊ | Sydney, AUS | 7th Major. Harbour Bridge finish. | |
| SEP | 4β5 | Diamond League Final | Brussels, BEL | The ultimate track season finale. |
| 11β13 | Ultimate Championship | Budapest, HUN | New! Top 8-16 elites; $10M purse. | |
| 13 | Great North Run | Newcastle, UK | World’s largest half marathon. | |
| 19β20 | World Road Running Champs | Copenhagen, DEN | 1-Mile, 5K, & Half Marathon titles. | |
| 19β4 | Asian Games Athletics | Nagoya, JPN | Major continental championships. | |
| 27 | Berlin Marathon π©πͺ | Berlin, GER | Major. World Record factory. | |
| OCT | 11 | Chicago Marathon πΊπΈ | Chicago, USA | Major. Fastest course in the US. |
| 25 | Amsterdam & Frankfurt | NED / GER | Frankfurt has the indoor finish. | |
| NOV | 1 | NYC Marathon πΊπΈ | New York, USA | Major. The tactical world finale. |
