World Athletics has launched a new Running & Mass Participation department as it looks to strengthen its role in the global running industry and support the continued growth of mass participation events.
The international governing body for athletics says the standalone department will bring greater focus to its work across the running ecosystem, including road races, marathons, cross country, mountain and trail running.
The department will be led by Jakob Larsen, who has 25 years of experience in international sports administration and event development. His previous work includes the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen in 2014, the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus in 2019 and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September 2026.
Larsen will work alongside Alessio Punzi, who has helped develop World Athletics’ presence in the running sector over the past decade.
The new department will oversee a broad portfolio of competitions and initiatives, including the World Athletics Label Road Races programme, the RUN X World Treadmill Championship and the development of partnerships across technology, data and the wider running industry.
Running events create opportunities for host cities
The announcement comes amid continued growth in running and sports tourism, with major marathons, road races and trail running competitions attracting participants and spectators from around the world.
According to World Athletics, at least one billion people worldwide participate in running in some form, making athletics the world’s most-participated sport.
“Mass participation running possesses the unique power to engage entire communities,” said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon. “It is a tool for mental wellbeing, wider public health, social cohesion and, for our host cities, economic development.”
The new department’s launch follows the recent World Road Running Championships and Global Running Conference in Copenhagen, alongside plans for a standalone World Marathon Championships.
It also comes ahead of the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Cape Town, South Africa, another major international event with the potential to attract travelling runners and supporters.
More than 320 road races worldwide currently hold a World Athletics Label, recognising events that meet the governing body’s organisational and technical standards.
Beyond event development, World Athletics will continue its work on race safety, integrity, education and research, including helping organisers respond to the challenges of competing in increasingly hot conditions.
“We will continue to direct energy and finances into making a much more significant contribution to the running ecosystem because we believe World Athletics is one of the key organisations that can help grow running further and faster,” Ridgeon added.
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