BID GUIDEWORLD ATHLETICSROAD RUNNING
CHAMPIONSHIPS
2025 & 2026
December 2022

www.worldathletics.org
www.worldathletics.org

1Bid Guide | World Athletics Road Running Championships

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www.worldathletics.org

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Ⓒ Irek Dorozanski

Bid Guide | World Athletics Road Running Championships

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WE

ARE

WORLD

ATHLETICS
With over 3.5 million athletes, 214 Member Federations, and as the #1
Olympic sport - we are the international governing body for the sport ofathletics representing all things running, jumping, throwing and walking.

And, just like society, we are changing fast.
Our vision is to use the power and accessibility of athletics and ourathletes to create a healthier and fitter world. We exist to grow the
sport of athletics and make it relevant in people’s lives and in the lives of
their communities.

www.worldathletics.org

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Ⓒ Dan Vernon

The World Athletics Series

Road Running Ripple Effect

When it comes to competitions, we have our crownjewels: the World Athletics Series events. WAS for
short.

It is now estimated that 1.4 billion people run
regularly worldwide. Motives are diverse andoften in flux - from running to get fit, to be more
mindful, to support a charity or to feel a sense ofaccomplishment. But whether you favour the running
experience or the outcome, the reasons people keep
running often relates to community and connection
to others - people keep people active.

The WAS events include seven of the highest-profile
global championships in the sport. Each WAS event
is carefully designed to bring unique experiences tolife – with the world’s best athletes, in iconic places,
to inspire people on and off the track, field and road.

The World Athletics Road Running Championships
welcomes the world’s best middle and long distanceroad runners and crowns the new kings and queensof the road. It also seeks to inspire, energise andconnect your community - triggering a positivesocial ripple effect to promote health and fitness,through the joy of running.

At World Athletics we are committed to creating
globally appealing, accessible events that deliver
tangible, long-lasting benefits to host cities – where
needed most.
Boosting the local economy, promoting active
lifestyles, driving sport tourism, inspiring theyouth, putting existing infrastructure to gooduse, celebrating local culture, fostering sport
entrepreneurship, getting cities on the map, creatinga legacy of sport volunteering, bringing society
together: we can help you achieve your identified
goals.

This can be a catalyst to help connect yourcommunity and compound participation. This
event can be used to motivate people locallyand nationally to become healthier and more
active in their daily lives with the unique appealof participating in World Championship mass
participation races.

Running is more than simply afitness activity, when it becomesa sustained practice it is often
described as an activity thatenriches people’s lives.

Bid Guide | World Athletics Road Running Championships

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Ⓒ Getty Images

Introducing the World Athletics Road Running Championships
The World Athletics Road Running Championships
has evolved from the World Athletics Half
Marathon Championships to form a series of WorldChampionship races including the Men’s andWomen’s Half Marathon, Men’s and Women’s 5km,
and the Men’s and Women’s Mile.

the ‘metric mile’, the 1,500m at the World Athletics
Championships and the Olympic Games. This raceis also accessible to anyone, no matter their fitnesslevel. The Mile is the ideal entry level event to getpeople off the couch and over the finish line. It isnever too late to start and this is a good place tobegin the journey to a healthier lifestyle.

The Half Marathon is one of the world’s mostpopular tests of endurance and the best way to
showcase a city. This roughly 21km / 13.1 mile raceat the World Athletics Road Running Championships
will attract the best distance runners in the world, as
it is the pinnacle race for this distance.

We are also happy to work with hosts on expanding
the programme beyond the championships races toinclude additional races and opportunities that hosts
feel would contribute to both the profile of the eventand their community including the World Athletics
Global Running Conference, health & fitness expo,
parkrun, running clinics, running outreach, school
engagement and e-learning initiatives etc.

The 5km is a long-distance road race in which
nearly every spectator can relate and compare
times. As well as the World Athletics Road RunningChampionships crowning world champions, there areworld ranking points up for grabs for the 5000m at
the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic
Games.

Bids are now open for the next two
editions of the World Athletics Road
Running Championships, taking
place in 2025 & 2026.

The Mile is the marquee middle-distance road race.
This roughly 1,609m race is ubiquitous in runningculture ever since the chase for the four minutemile in the 1950’s. Its prestige lives strong at theWorld Athletics Road Running Championships, as
the only official imperial distance world record eventin the sport and a key feature of qualification for

Read on to learn more.

www.worldathletics.org

7Benefits to the Host City
To review the World Athletics Road Running Championships in more detail it is worth considering the potential
benefits to the host city across economic, social and environmental pillars, as well as its impact on image andreputation.

Total Direct Economic Impact
The profile and scale of the World Athletics Road
Running Championships make it well positioned todeliver meaningful returns on investment. Alongside
event organisers, official event attendees (including
competitors and team officials, competition officials,
media and broadcasting personnel, sponsors,
suppliers, technical suppliers and volunteers)
spectators and recreational runners all bring inboundspending power to stimulate a host city’s economy.

See below a snapshot of the economic impact fromthe precursor to the World Athletics Road RunningChampionships – the World Athletics Half Marathon
Championships in Valencia 2018, which was held injust one day:Event Attendee Spend

US$ 1,026,551

Spectator Spend

US$ 1,993,909

Recreational Runner Spend

US$ 3,572,267

Total Direct Economic Impact

US$ 6,592,727

Total Economic Impact

US$ 8,417,372

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Tourism Impact
The World Athletics Road Running Championships
offers an excellent opportunity to engage the local
community and demonstrate a host city’s culture whether it’s music, dance, food or all of the above.

Due to attending the World Athletics Half Marathon
in Valencia 2018:•

Based on the tourism impact from the World Athletics
Half Marathon Championships in Valencia 2018:
•

•

•

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Total of 2,542 Event attendees of which 1,227(48%) were from out of town and stayed for an
average of 4.3 days
Estimated total of 27,688 spectators of which
6,087 (21.7%) were from out of town and stayed
for an average of 3.2 days
Total of 14,372 recreational runners of which
6,561 (45.7%) were from out of town and stayed
for an average of 3.2 days•

80% of out of town visitors agreed that the event
had increased their awareness of the host city as a
tourist and/or business destination
90% of out of town visitors would recommend thehost city as a holiday destination after attending
the event
85% of out of town visitors agreed they weremore likely to return to the host city in the next
two years after attending the event

www.worldathletics.org

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11Social Impact

Health & Well-Being
The World Athletics Road Running Championships has a powerful influence in promoting health and fitness bygenerating a running ripple effect amongst event attendees, spectators and recreational runners.
Based on an impact study from the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen 2014:••••

1,000 recreational runners joined a local running club 3 months pre-event
3,900 of the 30,000 recreational runners (13%) ran their first ever Half-Marathon
1,800 recreational runners joined a local running club after post-event
89% of respondents said they would participate in a legacy race

Generating Civic Pride
Based on an impact study from the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Valencia 2018:•••

94% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships had apositive impact on the host city’s community
94% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships showcased
the host city as a positive and vibrant city
96% of local residents felt proud that their city hosted the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships

Diversity & Inclusion
Athletics is colour-blind and gender-balanced, offering equal opportunities to athletes from all walks of life
and all races and creeds.
We have complete gender equality on the field of play (including equal prize money for men and women)
and we are working swiftly towards gender equality in our governance structures. World Athletics isconstitutionally bound to reach gender equality on our Council, Executive Board and Commissions by 2027
(we are at about 40% now). World Athletics has pursued a policy of transgender inclusivity whilst maintaining
a level playing field for all female athletes.
Finally, there was a slight majority of female spectators at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships
in Valencia 2018, comprising 57% women and 43% male.

Bid Guide | World Athletics Road Running Championships

12Environmental Impact

Environmental Quality of the Event
In recognition of the environmental challenges faced by cities today, specifically air pollution, climatechange and over consumption of resources, and of the growing scrutiny under which the event industry isplaced, World Athletics will work with hosts to implement a sustainability management system. This will help
demonstrate to all stakeholders a real walk-the-talk commitment to minimising the event’s environmental
impact. World Athletics is also committed to working with cities to promote environmental initiatives within thewider community.

Air Quality Project – Case Study WHM Gdynia 2020
As part of World Athletics’ continuing pilot programme to measure air quality at sporting venues aroundthe world, and with the support of the local organising committee, World Athletics’ Health and Science
Department measured clinical and environmental data at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in
Gdynia 2020 and the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama in 2019.
By publishing air quality from venues such as Gdynia and Yokohama, World Athletics hopes to encourage
athletes, recreational runners, cities, local and national governments and member federations to become more
conscious of air quality and the impact that it has on health and performance.

www.worldathletics.org

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Image & Event Reputation
Event Coverage
The World Athletics Road Running Championships is one of the most important road races in the calendar andwith more than 200 media accreditations, it makes headlines worldwide.

Social Media Figures & Reach
Based on an Impact Study from the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia 2020:•••

570,000 Engagements (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
1,100,000 Video Views (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
8,000,000 Impressions (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

The appeal of athletics to younger fans means that digital channels are becoming increasingly important
distribution platforms for World Athletics events. A focus on live streaming, the introduction of new fan
engagement initiatives and an enhanced range of exclusive behind-the-scenes multimedia content are allpart of World Athletics’ commitment to connecting the event, the hosts and our athletes with new audiences
online, ensuring every future edition will connect with more people in a powerful and meaningful way.

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Event Impact
We also understand the importance to host cities of creating anticipation before the event and a legacy forwhen the show is over, and we will work with you to deliver exactly what you need to inspire your citizens andbring your community closer together.

Legacy Races
This event can boost existing races or help launch new ones. The annual race participation numbers for
Copenhagen, Cardiff and Valencia increased an average of 26% from 15,000 to 19,930 the year after hosting
the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships. The Copenhagen Half is the legacy race that continues
to thrive today following the 2014 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen with over
25,000 participants annually as part of the SuperHalfs series.

Schools
Athletics legends can visit schools to share the positive effect of running and exercise generally. Runningworkshops and youth championships can help establish long term development pathways for the next
generation of athletes.

Volunteers
Local residents and sports enthusiasts can play a part in the event experience through volunteering which will
boost future athletics hosting opportunities.

www.worldathletics.org

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Additional Opportunities

World Athletics encourages hosts to extend the impact of the World Athletics Road Running Championships
beyond the competition period. This event can also provide an opportunity for a range of side events
including:

Mass Participation Races
The host is expected to deliver mass participation races in conjunction with the World Athletics Road RunningChampionships. Mass participation is a major revenue stream which can allow event organisers to fully financethe event. The World Athletics Half Marathon Championships has averaged 22,000 entries for the mass
participation races across four previous editions. The inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships
Riga in 2023 plans to feature around 35,000 mass participation runners.

World Athletics Global Running Conference
The host will hold the right of first refusal to organise on an exclusive worldwide basis for the year in question- the World Athletics Global Running Conference.
The World Athletics Global Running Conference is the world’s premier gathering of the running industry– including event owners and race directors, tourism boards and health promotion agencies, sport apparelbrands and endurance media, sporting rule-makers and running tech disruptors, pro-athletes and talent
representation agencies, medical experts and anti-doping institutions, coaches and data scientists.
The Global Running Conference is two days when the future of running is charted – as a sport, as an
economic activity, as a tool of public policy – defining its place in society and creating growth opportunities
at all levels.
It will feature a combination of presentations, fireside chats, plenary discussions, workshops, marketplaces,
product launches, exhibitions – all with one overarching goal – to gain a deeper understanding of the role thatrunning has in shaping communities.

Health & Fitness Expo
The local organising committee can organise an official event Expo under terms and conditions to be set out
by World Athletics and Dentsu, which will include conditions relating to the commercial aspects.

Bid Guide | World Athletics Road Running Championships

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www.worldathletics.org

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Bid Guide | World Athletics Road Running Championships

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parkrun
World Athletics has partnered with parkrun to help expand its global series of free, weekly, timed walking andrunning events. parkrun will engage and discuss with the local organising committee around launching new
events or boosting existing parkrun events in the host city.

Running Clinics
Many running activities can be organised that will appeal to the natural audience for our events, including
youth running clinics, injury-prevention seminars, courses for coaches, course measurement sessions.

Running Outreach
Entry level outreach training programmes can be rolled out locally and nationally through running clubs andcommunities to encourage healthy habits. World Athletics can contribute through its network and expertiseby designing programmes and facilitating access to past and present professional athletes.

School Engagement
School-based training and competitions will provide a healthy and engaging activity for school children toconnect with the event, which may also help promote it. Also, national youth and school races can be held
alongside the main event.

E-learning Initiatives
Host staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to access the World Athletics’ e-learning platform which
offers sport and event-related education tools (with modules including marketing, event presentation,communication, project management and fan engagement) that aim to upskill locals event experience in thehost city.

Other Activations
As well as the above, former hosts have increased engagement with the World Athletics Road RunningChampionships from the following activation opportunities:• ‘Year-to-go’ countdown events• Athlete engagement events• Concerts and local festivals

www.worldathletics.org

19Revenue Potential

There are a number of revenue streams available to make this a profitable event for event organisers:(a) The World Athletics Road Running Championships• National sponsorship*• Merchandising*• Concession revenues (food and beverage etc.)• Commercial hospitality sales*• Local hotel commissions(b) Additional Events• Mass participation registration fees
• Fees from clinics and training sessions• World Athletics Global Running Conference admission tickets• Travel packages*Subject to the Category Release Agreement being concluded with Dentsu1

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Event Budget

Budget
The indicative Event Budget for the World Athletics Road Running Championships is between USD$2,500,000 - $3,000,000, but it will vary according to local costs and conditions.
World Athletics can schedule virtual meetings with the bidding committees to go through the proposed event
budget.
11. Other 7.1%
10. Technology 0.5%
9. Press 0.3%

1. Event Planning 27.4%

8. Host Broadcaster 9.9%

7. Marketing & Sponsorship 23%

2. Logistics 15.4%

6. Hospitality 0.8%
5. Medical & Anti-Doping 1.7%
4. Additional Events 1.3%
3. Event management and Presentation 12.6%

0.8%

23%

9.9%

0.3%

0.5%

7.1%

6. Hospitality

7. Marketing & Sponsorship

8. Host Broadcaster9. Press

10. Technology

11. Other

4. Additional Events

3. Event management and Presentation

2. Logistics

1. Event Planning

1.7%

5. Medical & Anti-Doping

27.4% 15.4% 12.6% 1.3%

www.worldathletics.org

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Bidding Requirements

Based on the World Athletics’ Global Calendar, the preferred dates for the World Athletics Road RunningChampionships are anytime in September and October, but we may be open to other similar dates.
The host city needs to be accessible to teams and equipment travelling from all parts of the world, so
reasonable proximity to an international airport is essential.
There are no hosting fees, but there are mandatory costs payable by hosts to World Athletics relating tovarious services provided such as accreditation system, access control, event presentation, website, results
management services and Host Broadcaster.

Sports Requirements
The courses should comply with the World Athletics guidelines for road races and all World Athletics Road
Running Championship courses should share the same finish line.
Hosts will be responsible for providing all technical and functional areas at the race venue, including athletechanging rooms, call room, mixed zone, post event area, gathering area for medal ceremonies, doping control
station, recorders’ booth, technical information centre and competition information desks. Hosts will also be
responsible for the installation of a video screen for the public showing the television signal, quality soundsystem and event decoration, as well as ensuring a reliable and modern communication system.

Official Hotels and Meeting Rooms
Hosts will be required to provide a shortlist of official hotels available for the following client groups in the Bid
Application Form:
•
•
•
•
•

World Athletics Family and Partners
Athletes and Team Officials
Media
Host BroadcasterTechnical Suppliers and Service Providers

Further information on numbers and duration will be provided at a later stage in the Event Organisation
Agreement.

Bid Guide World Athletics Championships

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Bidding Process
If you are interested in hosting the World Athletics Road Running Championships 2025 and / or 2026, please
download a Pre-Qualification Form (available on our website) and submit this by close of business on thedeadline set out below.
Bid Process Stage

Timeline

Official Launch & Bid Guide shared

December 2022

Pre-Qualification Form Submission Deadline

15 February 2023

Bid Application Documents Submission Deadline

1 May 2023

Event awarded by Council

July 2023

If you would like to discuss the World Athletics Road Running Championships in more depth including the
Pre-Qualification Form – please contact us on bidding@worldathletics.org where you can also send yourcompleted Pre-Qualification Form.

Bid Guidewww.worldathletics.org
World Athletics Championships

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Bid Guide |©World
World Athletics
Road RunningChampionships
Athletics
2022.

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