RUN X, the first world championship on treadmills
The competition to be held in 2026 is the result of a partnership between Technogym and World Athletics and aims to promote sport at all ages and latitudes
Professional athletes and amateurs alike will now be able to compete in fitness centres in the world's first indoor running championship on treadmills. The new RUN X competition is the result of a partnership between Technogym, world leader in wellness, athletic training, health and official supplier to the last 10 Olympics, and World Athletics, the International Olympic Athletics Federation, and was officially presented in Milan on 27 October.
The objective shared by the company led by Nerio Alessandri - which in the first nine months of 2025 recorded consolidated revenues of 708.5 million euros (+14% compared to the first nine months of 2024) - and by the president of World Athletics Sebastian Coe is to exploit the popularity of running to make it accessible indoors in fitness centres in total safety and without time or weather limits to encourage people of all ages and fitness levels to practise the sport. In full continuity with Technogym's "Let's Move for a Better World" social campaign, present in over 50,000 fitness, wellness and sports centres in 120 countries with the world's largest network of connected treadmills.
The timing
Starting in the first quarter of 2026, fitness and wellness clubs will be able to "affiliate" and become part of the network in which the first world treadmill running championships will be held. From the second quarter, runners will be able to register for the competition to be held in the autumn of 2026. RUN X will offer runners from all over the world the chance to measure themselves against the performance of professional athletes on an online leader-board where they can view the rankings in real time. The results of the 5K runs will be certified by the treadmills connected to the Technogym Digital Ecosystem. The best finishers from each country, according to age group, will then compete in the continental championships in their respective category to reach the finals.
The finals will take place at the end of 2026, where the world's top 10 runners in the men's and women's categories will compete for the first world title in an exciting and engaging format that will take running to a whole new level. RUN X will award a prize pool of $100,000 and World Athletics will offer wild cards for the World Road Running Championships (1 mile, 5 km, half marathon).
The declarations
"We are delighted to be partnering with Technogym for the World Treadmill Running Championships," emphasised World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. "Together we aim to create a virtual competition space that builds a global community, entertains and encourages amateur runners to compete and compete with a global 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.
