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Sports sponsorship is part of the international SPAR voluntary food retail chain’s commitment to encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle. Global awareness of the SPAR Brand is achieved through digital and print coverage of sport sponsorship.

SPAR International

Joma Sport is the most important Spanish sports brand, with the highest sales volume worldwide, and is among the top ten global brands.

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Le Gruyère AOP is a very high quality natural cheese that has been produced for many centuries in an artisanal method without any additives.

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The philosophy of Toyo Tires is to combine driving pleasure with top performance. This is reflected in each of the products, as well as in its close partnership with European Athletics.

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Through its operational department Eurovision Services, the EBU is continuously working to promote athletics by offering the most comprehensive coverage of European Athletics events all over Europe.

Conica has been developing and manufacturing innovative seamless flooring solutions for sports, games and leisure for over 40 years and is one of the world's market leaders and innovation drivers in this field.

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Stars of athletics beat world records using Polanik products. Polanik is held in high regard by many for top quality and advisory services for designers and investors of athletics stadiums.

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The Hotel Royal Savoy is proud to be the Preferred Hotel Partner of European Athletics in Lausanne since 2016, offering valuable support and accommodation services to European Athletics business activities throughout the year.

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The first companies of Würth MODYF Group were founded in Künzelsau, Germany and Neumarkt, Italy in 1997 as an independent subsidiary of the Würth Group and can thus look back on more than 25 years of experience in the field of workwear and safety footwear.

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Run over two laps of the track, the 800 metres sits between sprinting and longer middle-distance racing. It is a tactical test as much as a physical one, with athletes often racing in packs, protecting position and timing their final kick. The event demands efficient running mechanics, race intelligence and a strong anaerobic capacity. European athletes have excelled in this discipline for decades, making it a consistently competitive and unpredictable race.

800 metres

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The 200 metres blends the power of the short sprint with the challenge of running a controlled curve. Athletes build speed through the bend before driving into the home straight, aiming to maintain momentum without tightening or losing stride rhythm. Success depends on combining fast acceleration with the ability to hold technique under pressure. The event has produced many memorable European championship performances, often highlighting specialist sprinters who excel in technical curve running.

200 metres

These sprint hurdles events require athletes to combine explosive speed with flawless rhythm over a set number of barriers. Runners must achieve a consistent stride pattern to clear each hurdle cleanly without breaking speed. A clipped hurdle can ruin momentum, while perfect technique creates a smooth, fast race. The short distance leaves no margin for error, making start reaction and precision critical.

100 metres hurdles (women) / 110 metres hurdles (men)

Relay events combine individual speed with coordinated teamwork. The 4x100 metres relies on fast, precise baton exchanges at high speed, with timing and communication proving as important as outright pace. The 4x400 metres tests speed-endurance, strategy and mental resilience as teams select athletes for specific legs. The mixed 4x400 metres adds the challenge of gender order selection, making race tactics central to success. Relays consistently produce some of the most exciting and unpredictable moments in championship athletics.

Relays: 4x100 metres, 4x400 metres, Mixed 4x400 metres

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Apeldoorn is one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands and among the largest municipalities in Gelderland. It is a mid-size city with a population of approximately 161,000. Apeldoorn has a charming and lively inner city and a young, sports-minded population.

The town is easily accessible by car (A1 motorway) and train. The proximity of large cities such as Utrecht (59 kilometre) and Amsterdam (75 kilometre) and its space and tranquillity make Apeldoorn one of the most popular cities in the Netherlands. The area mainly consists of woods and heath-lands and is a popular destination for tourism, in particular hiking and cycling.

The Dutch royal family has always had close ties with the city. Apeldoorn is home to the stately Loo Palace, the former summer residence of the Dutch royal family and nowadays a national museum. Apeldoorn is possibly the most athletic-minded city in the Netherlands.

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The 400 metres hurdles is one of the most technically demanding events on the track. Athletes complete a full lap while clearing evenly spaced hurdles, forcing them to maintain rhythm even as fatigue peaks. Mastery of stride pattern, pace control and hurdle execution is essential. The race is known for dramatic changes of position in the final straight as athletes fight both their rivals and the physical demands of the event.

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Race walking involves covering long distances under strict technique rules. Athletes must maintain continuous ground contact and keep the front leg straight as it lands, making endurance and technical discipline equally important. Races are often tactical, with pacing and efficiency playing a major role. Europe has a long history of success in this event, which remains a key part of the championships programme.

Race walking

The decathlon features ten events spread across two days and is regarded as one of the most complete tests in sport. Athletes compete in sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws and middle-distance running. Success depends on technical skill, physical strength, endurance and mental focus across a demanding schedule. The best decathletes are celebrated for their versatility and their ability to perform across a broad spectrum of athletic challenges.

Decathlon (men)

The heptathlon brings together seven events across two days: hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin and 800 metres. Athletes must demonstrate versatility, technical skill and endurance across a wide range of disciplines. Scoring rewards consistency and all-round ability rather than excellence in only one area. The event is seen as a major test of complete athletic talent and resilience.

Heptathlon (women)

In hammer throw, athletes spin several times while controlling a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle. The challenge is to build rotational speed while maintaining balance and directing the hammer accurately into the sector. Technical precision and body control are essential, particularly during the final release. The event is one of the most demanding in the throws discipline.

Hammer throw

Javelin throwers combine a fast run-up with a technically efficient release of a spear-shaped implement. The discipline requires speed, mobility, shoulder strength and careful control of the javelin’s angle and trajectory. Athletes must generate force during the run-up while protecting their technique during the final delivery. The event has a long European tradition and regularly produces dramatic long throws in championship settings.

Javelin throw

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The marathon covers a distance of 42.195 kilometres and stands as one of the most demanding endurance events in athletics. Athletes must balance pacing, energy management and hydration while navigating a long road course that often includes changes in terrain and elevation. The race typically develops through distinct phases, with early caution giving way to decisive moves in the later stages when fatigue begins to bite. Success requires exceptional aerobic capacity, mental resilience and the ability to maintain form over a prolonged distance. The marathon has a long and respected history within European competition and continues to showcase some of the toughest endurance performances in the sport.

Marathon

The 400 metres is a one-lap sprint requiring both speed and controlled pacing. Athletes must judge their effort carefully, building a strong opening but leaving enough in reserve to withstand the final straight when fatigue peaks. The event rewards those with both raw sprinting talent and excellent speed-endurance. Historically, it has produced dramatic finishes as runners push to their limits in the closing metres.

400 metres

Shot putters throw a solid metal ball from within a throwing circle, using either a glide or rotational technique. The event rewards explosive strength, balance and precise timing at release. Competitors must generate maximum power while staying within the circle, making technique as important as physical strength. Shot put has long been a central event in European championships, showcasing powerful and technically skilled athletes.

Shot put

The high jump challenges athletes to clear a steadily rising bar using a curved approach and a powerful take-off. Competitors must time their run-up perfectly, converting horizontal speed into vertical lift. The Fosbury Flop technique, now universal, requires exceptional body control as athletes arch over the bar. The event builds drama as the bar climbs higher and attempts become limited, often culminating in head-to-head duels.

High jump

The longest standard track race, the 10,000 metres tests stamina, concentration and consistent pacing across twenty five laps. Athletes must manage physical strain as the race progresses, responding to surges and maintaining rhythm even as fatigue builds. Historically, European Championships have seen both cagey tactical contests and fast, relentless front-running performances. The event rewards those with strong endurance and the mental strength to stay composed for a long duration.

10,000 metres

The 100 metres is the shortest outdoor sprint and sets the benchmark for pure speed in athletics. Athletes accelerate from blocks and reach top velocity within seconds, maintaining form through a high-intensity dash down the straight. Reaction time is often decisive at this distance, with races won and lost by hundredths of a second. The event has a long tradition of showcasing the fastest men and women in Europe, and it remains one of the most watched races at any championship.

100 metres

The 5000 metres is a long-distance track race demanding aerobic endurance, tactical awareness and mental focus. Athletes complete twelve and a half laps, managing pace while responding to changes initiated by rivals. Success often depends on staying relaxed early before increasing pace in the closing stages. The event has evolved over time from slow, tactical races to consistently fast, aggressive championship battles.

5000 metres

The long jump blends speed, power and precise timing. Athletes sprint along a runway and take off from a board, aiming to maintain momentum into a controlled flight and efficient landing. Key elements include accuracy on the approach and the ability to transfer horizontal velocity into lift. The discipline has deep roots in athletics history and remains a showcase of raw jumping ability.

Long jump

The steeplechase combines distance running with technical obstacle work. Athletes clear barriers and a water jump each lap, requiring controlled footwork, balance and the ability to accelerate after each obstacle. Competitors must maintain rhythm while adjusting stride patterns to navigate hurdles efficiently. The event has become a staple of European competition, producing races that test both endurance and precise technique under pressure.

3000 metres steeplechase

The discus throw requires athletes to rotate within a circle to build momentum before releasing a heavy disc into the throwing sector. Balance, footwork and technique dictate success, with release angle and timing crucial for long distances. The event dates back to ancient athletics and has remained a showcase of technical throwing skill throughout European competition.

Discus throw

Pole vaulting requires speed, strength, coordination and courage. Athletes sprint down the runway, plant the pole and use it to propel themselves over a set height. Each attempt challenges timing, body control and technique, particularly during inversion and bar clearance. The event is known for its progression of rising heights and the technical battles between athletes to master complex vaulting mechanics.

Pole vault

The triple jump consists of a hop, step and jump in one continuous sequence. Athletes must generate and maintain forward momentum through each phase, requiring rhythm, leg strength and technical consistency. Distances depend on a smooth transition between phases and a balanced landing. The event demands a combination of speed and coordination unique within the jumps programme.

Triple jump

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The 1500 metres is the classic middle-distance race. It requires athletes to balance steady pacing with the agility to respond to tactical changes and late surges. Many races unfold with a controlled early pace before a fast acceleration in the final lap, where positioning becomes critical. The event has a rich European history, often producing championship finals filled with strategy, resilience and highly competitive sprint finishes.

1500 metres

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World record-holder Mykolas Alekna produced an exceptional series in the men&rsquo;s discus at the Lithuanian Championships in Palanga on Saturday (25).
Alekna produced four throws over the 70 metre-line with his best mark of 72.65m coming in the third round. This was the fourth longest throw of Alekna&rsquo;s career behind a trio of marks set in Ramona where he improved his world record of 75.56m last year.
Even the shortest mark out of Alekna's five valid throws still came down at 69.78m. He began his competition with 71.98m and concluded his competition with throws of 70.46m and 71.54m in the fourth and sixth round respectively.
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DbONzJSMkLo"]
Alekna&rsquo;s season looked in jeopardy in mid-March after tearing his left pectoral muscle which required surgery but the 23-year-old has made an excellent recovery.&nbsp;
Alekna has broken the 70 metre-barrier in each of his three competitions this summer and will now turn his focus to the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10-16 August when he will target his second continental title.
Alekna made his breakthrough at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich where he won gold at the age of 19, becoming the youngest ever champion in event history as well as following in the footsteps of his father Virgilijus who won the European title in 2006.
He went on to become the 2022 men&rsquo;s Rising Star at the Golden Tracks award ceremony.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">2026 world discus list</h3>
74.04m &ndash; Matthew Denny (AUS) Ramona 74.00m &ndash; Steven Richter (GER) Ramona 72.65m &ndash; Mykolas Alekna (LTU) Palanga 72.61m &ndash; Kristjan Čeh (SLO) Ramona 72.45m &ndash; Sam Mattis (USA) Ramona 71.88m &ndash; Lawrence Okoye (GBR) Ramona 71.22m &ndash; Ruben Rolvink (NED) Ramona 70.66m &ndash; Roje Stona (JAM) Ramona 70.43m &ndash; Alex Rose (SAM) Ramona 69.60m &ndash; Daniel St&aring;hl (SWE) Stockholm

Four throws over 70 metres! Alekna throws 72.65m at the Lithuanian Championships

In cold conditions, Sondre Guttormsen cleared 6.00m in the pole vault on the second day of the Norwegian Championships in Trondheim on Friday (24) evening.
Having cleared 5.47m, 5.62m and 5.87m each time on his first attempt, Guttormsen raised the bar to 6.00m and the 2023 European indoor champion went clear on his second attempt.
This was the fourth time Guttormsen has broken the 6.00m barrier in the pole vault but the first time he has achieved this feat outdoors as he builds towards the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships where he will target his first major outdoor medal.&nbsp;&nbsp;
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DbMILSRIwFW"]
"I didn't think he would make it. I'm a little emotional because it's unbelievably high. Plus, it's only 13 degrees," said his coach and father Atle as quoted by NRK.
Pal Haugen Lillefosse cleared 5.47m to finish second with 2025 world and European indoor heptathlon champion Sander Skotheim clearing 5.00m as he prepares for the decathlon in Birmingham next month.
Three-time European champion Karsten Warholm powered to a 47.14 clocking in the 400m hurdles.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Close to 7.00m in the long jump for Kpatcha in Albi</h3>
Hilary Kpatcha won a high quality women&rsquo;s long jump on the first day of the French Championships in Albi on Friday.
Kpatcha produced a winning jump of 6.98m in the fifth round for victory ahead of 2016 world U20 champion Yanis David who had led with a second round mark of&nbsp; 6.86m. For Kpatcha, this was just three centimetres shy of her lifetime best while for David, her mark improves her lifetime best which had dated back to 2019.
Kpatcha moves to third on the 2026 European list behind European outdoor champion Malaika Mihambo (7.05m) and European indoor champion Larissa Iapichino (7.12m).&nbsp;
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DbMCPXpFUBL"]
Reigning European champion Alice Finot continued her comeback from injury with victory in the 3000m steeplechase in 9:26.74 and Isabelle Black, the daughter of 1986 and 1990 European champion Roger, ran a lifetime best and championship record of 50.47 in the heats of the 400m to move to third on the French all-time list.
Meanwhile, Melina Robert-Michon&rsquo;s incredible reign in the discus came to an end. The 47-year-old was beaten for the first time at the French Championships this century as she finished second to Amanda Ngandu-Ntumba - 60.47m to 56.69m.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Wind-aided 8.42m long jump for Balde in Lisbon</h3>
Reigning world indoor champion Gerson Balde recorded a wind-assisted 8.42m (+3.8) in the long jump on the first day of the Portuguese Championships in Lisbon.
Balde recorded that mark in the third round before retiring from the remainder of the competition.
Fatoumata Diallo won a competitive women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles in 54.46 ahead of joint national record-holder Sofia Lavreshina in 54.69 and 2025 world indoor 800m bronze medallist Patricia Silva stepped up in distance to win the 5000m in 15:22.48.
<h3 dir="ltr">Elsewhere around Europe&hellip;</h3>
At the Spanish Championships in Malaga, European 20km race walk silver medallist Paul McGrath won the 10,000m race walk title in a European leading time of 38:23.52.&nbsp;
McGrath will be contesting the half marathon race walk in Birmingham next month.&nbsp;
Ewa Swoboda won the women&rsquo;s 100m at the Polish Championships in Białystok in 11.05 while European U23 champion&nbsp;Maciej Megier won the 3000m steeplechase title in 8:24.11.
Fanny Roos won the shot put at the Swedish Championships with a meeting record of 19.37m ahead of world indoor bronze medallist Axelina Johansson with 19.15m.
World bronze medallist and multiple European record-holder Andreas Almgren won the 10,000m in a solo 28:49.73.

National Championships roundup | Guttormsen clears 6.00m at Norwegian Championships

Birmingham 2026 organisers are delighted to announce Sagres as the Official Beer and 0% Beer of the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026, bringing one of Europe's most iconic beer brands to the continent's premier athletics event.
 The European Athletics Championships is set to take place for the first time ever in the UK, bringing Europe's top athletes to Birmingham for a week of world class athletics from 10-16 August 2026. Sagres and Sagres 0.0% will be available throughout the Championships, giving fans the opportunity to celebrate one of Europe's greatest sporting moments while enjoying a range of premium beer and alcohol-free beer options.
 Sagres is one of Portugal's most celebrated beer brands, renowned for its brewing heritage, quality and passion for bringing people together. Alongside Sagres, Sagres 0.0% offers consumers a refreshing alcohol-free alternative that delivers great taste for any occasion, ensuring there's a choice for every fan in the stadium.
 The partnership reflects a shared celebration of European sporting passion, quality and togetherness, with Sagres's spirit of adventure and achievement aligning naturally with the excitement of world-class athletics. With Sagres 0.0% offering choice and inclusivity alongside the flagship range, the partnership also underlines a joint commitment to responsible enjoyment throughout the Championships.
 Cherry Alexander, Championship Director for Birmingham 2026, said: "We're delighted to welcome Sagres as the Official Beer and 0% Beer of the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026. Sagres brings such a rich heritage of quality and togetherness, and it's a brand that truly understands the passion European sport inspires.
 "With Sagres and Sagres 0.0% available throughout the Championships, fans will have real choice in how they celebrate, and we're excited to work with Sagres to bring that spirit of celebration to Birmingham this summer."
 John Price, Head of Marketing at Kingfisher Drinks, said: "We're incredibly proud that Sagres has been named Official Beer and 0% Beer of the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026. Sagres has always been about bringing people together to celebrate great moments and as a sponsor of Benfica and the Portuguese National Team, the brand knows all about sporting excellence. &nbsp;With Sagres and Sagres 0.0% available, we want everyone in the stadium to be able to raise a glass to the achievements they're witnessing, whether it&rsquo;s a Portuguese Gold Medal or not.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The European Athletics Championships will bring world-class athletes from across the continent to Birmingham from 10-16 August 2026. With European titles on the line, the competition is set to be one of the most exciting and prestigious sporting events of the year.

 Sagres announced as Official Beer and 0% Beer of the 2026 European Athletics Championships

Bronson Hearn-Smith has never been one for blending into the crowd.
The distinctive glasses. The mop of curly hair. The impossibly fluid sprinting style that makes it look as though he's gliding down the track rather than attacking it at full speed.
Now, after storming to the European U18 200m title in Rieti in a championship record of 20.70, the British teenager has another reason to stand out.
His first international championships also happened to be his first trip outside the UK.
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"I was scared of the flight coming in," Hearn-Smith admitted with a smile. "Once we landed, I was all fine, happy with the experience, and then I focused my attention back to the athletics.
"I've enjoyed it a lot. There's a lot of things I've had to overcome over the past few days, but I've got past them. I'm in such a better place than where I was and it's just so much valuable experience I've learned to take away for future competitions."
For most teenagers, a first holiday abroad would be memorable enough. For Hearn-Smith, it ended with the biggest victory of his young career.
Raised in Tiptree in South West England, the 16-year-old had never ventured beyond the UK before arriving in Italy.
"I mean, we had trials in Wales, which I wouldn't say counts," he joked. "Apart from that, yeah, never been abroad. Not even on holiday."
It hardly showed.
After an underwhelming heat by his own standards (3rd in 21.37), Hearn-Smith found another level. He produced a personal best in the semi-final (20.89) before taking full advantage of lane eight in the final, where his long stride and relaxed running style carried him to an emphatic victory.
"When I found out I was in lane eight in the final, I knew there was something big about to happen," he said. "I didn't think that big at all."
<h3>Not jogging</h3>
Part of what makes Hearn-Smith such a fascinating prospect is how different he looks from almost every other sprinter.
Where most athletes appear to be straining for every metre, Hearn-Smith seems almost effortless. "It's really fluid, my technique," he explained. "I can see it myself. But the actual thing is, I'm trying. My muscles are working as hard as they can. It might look like I'm jogging, but I'm really not. I'm sprinting."
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1784823420/GettyImages-2286654417.jpg">
His biomechanics have become something of a trademark, although Hearn-Smith insists much of it comes naturally.
"To be honest, it comes naturally to me. I haven't had to work that hard on being able to execute my mechanics so far, but going into under-20s I'm definitely going to have to pinpoint some areas where my mechanics can be improved."
His appearance is equally distinctive.
Unable to wear contact lenses, he races in glasses, following the example of USA teenage sprint star Tate Taylor.
"I can't have contacts, to be honest with you. They just don't work in my eyes," he explained. "You've got the likes of Tate Taylor, who wears the glasses, and he's a big inspiration to me.
"When I'm a little bit older, I'm looking to get laser eye surgery. But until then we've got to make it unique and distinctive."
Along with his curly hair, it's a look that has become instantly recognisable.
"You've got to stand out somehow, right?" he said. "I guess that's my way of doing it."
<h3>Viral fame</h3>
Long before winning European glory, Hearn-Smith had already become a familiar face to millions of athletics fans online.
A video of him racing at a regional competition before the age of 15 exploded <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2fD7OZ0dAqY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">across social media</a> thanks to his unusually smooth sprint mechanics.
"It just blew up," he recalled. "It went viral on Instagram. It was like five million views, and then YouTube combined... we're talking 15 million.
"It's just a big spark due to my technique."
For many young athletes, viral fame can bring unwanted pressure. Hearn-Smith appears to have embraced it, arriving in Rieti already recognised by many athletics fans despite never having represented Great Britain before.
<h3>One step at a time</h3>
Despite his rapid rise, Hearn-Smith remains refreshingly grounded.
He describes himself as "very average" when he first took up athletics after discovering his speed at a primary school sports day.
"Everyone knew I was the fastest person in primary school, which was a big flex," he laughed. "But my progress has really been around the last three years."
Away from the track, athletics dominates his life. Training, gym sessions and recovery fill most of his days, while his girlfriend Grace, also an athlete, understands the commitment required to compete at the highest level.
His ambitions are equally measured.&nbsp; Rather than talking about medals on the global stage, Hearn-Smith's immediate focus is simply becoming a regular on Great Britain's teams.
"I just want to be consistent with these GB call-ups," he said. "This is my first one. I couldn't go to Mannheim because of my GCSEs (exams).
"I just want to consistently keep getting these qualification times, medalling at big championships as well, and just continue my career in little baby steps."
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1784823459/GettyImages-2286654338.jpg">
Rieti has also given him a taste for travelling.
"I've enjoyed it so much here," he said. "It's a beautiful country. It's a lot more mountainous than what I thought it'd be. There's a lot of mountains, but it just makes the place more aesthetically pleasing.
&ldquo;I'd love to go abroad to all these different European countries, and maybe even more internationally... talking maybe USA."
If his first trip outside Britain is anything to go by, there should be plenty more occasions to take the passport out of the drawer.
And judging by the way he glides around the bend, seemingly without effort, there may also be many more medals to accompany it.

Bronson Hearn-Smith | The viral sprint sensation whose first trip abroad ended in European gold

Organisers have today [Thursday 23 July] announced that the 5K taking place on the final day of the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026, will be welcoming 30 community members for the launch of the region&rsquo;s first Sanctuary Runners group at the Unity 5K event.
The core principle of the Unity Challenge is to give everyone the chance to have their medal moment during the Championships week. Hundreds of thousands of people will watch the action at Birmingham 2026, and locals are being offered a chance to put that inspiration into action by signing up to complete their own 1K or 5K challenge.
Sanctuary Runners is a solidarity-through-sport movement that was founded in Ireland in 2018 to bring communities together through running and walking with a particular emphasis on building connections between locals and people who have moved from other countries.
Together, the Sanctuary Runners GB team and Birmingham 2026 organisers have agreed to host the official launch of the Sanctuary Runners Birmingham group at Unity 5K, giving 30 community members free entry to the event and the chance to kick start their new arm in the heart of the city.
Graham Clifford, Founder and Head of Operations at Sanctuary Runners GB, said: &ldquo;Sanctuary Runners is a solidarity through movement organisation because we believe in the power of movement to bring people of different backgrounds together as equals. &nbsp;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re excited to launch the first Sanctuary Runners in the West Midlands at Unity 5K. With the European Athletics Championships coming to the UK for the first time when they&rsquo;re hosted in Birmingham this summer, it&rsquo;s going to inspire the whole region to get more active. And we&rsquo;d love to inspire them to stand in solidarity with us by joining in with Sanctuary Runners.&nbsp;
&ldquo;To launch the Birmingham group, we&rsquo;ll have 30 people taking on the Unity 5K on Sunday 16 August. Coming together to move, to celebrate, and to be a part of the Championship atmosphere.&rdquo;
The Unity 5K takes place from 11:15 on Sunday 16 August, following on from the elite road marathon&rsquo;s earlier that morning. Participants will be given a chance to run one loop of the marathon course, completing 5K in the heart of Birmingham city-centre and finishing under the same gantry as the elites for their own medal moment during the Championships.&nbsp;
Chris Moss, Impact Lead for Birmingham 2026, said: &ldquo;The Unity Challenge is really about giving everyone the chance to be a part of the championship action. Now, with 12 and unders going free to the 1K and the addition of our partnership with Sanctuary Runners to launch their Birmingham arm at the 5K, we&rsquo;re building more ways to get the whole of the Birmingham community involved.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a perfect partnership, as Sanctuary Runners align so closely with our impact aims in our Beyond plan and are all about bringing people together to enjoy movement, no matter their background. Which is exactly what we want the Unity Challenge to do.&rdquo;

Sanctuary Runners Birmingham to launch at Unity Challenge

A unique on-line conference on Europe&rsquo;s most successful and enduring marathons will be co-hosted by European Athletics in August.
In collaboration with the European Running Business Conference in partnership with Mass Participation World, European Athletics will host the MPW webinar &ldquo;Focus on European Marathon Classics with the European Running Business Conference&rdquo; on Wednesday, 19 August 2026 at 13:00 CEST.
The session will bring together leading figures from some of Europe&rsquo;s most established marathon events to explore the future of marathon running, with a focus on collaboration, evolving runner expectations, and the continued growth of mass participation.
<h3>Industry leaders</h3>
The webinar will open with Marko Vasić, Running Unit Responsible at European Athletics, and Marek Tronina, CEO of European Marathon Classics, who will outline the vision behind the initiative and its importance for the European running market.
Three leadership discussions will follow, covering key industry topics: the role of cooperation in an increasingly competitive environment, what today&rsquo;s runners expect from events, and whether the current marathon boom represents an opportunity or a challenge for organisers.
Speakers include Hugh Brasher (TCS London Marathon), Dorte Vibjerg (Copenhagen Marathon), Kathrin Widu (Vienna City Marathon), Jo Schindler (Mainova Frankfurt Marathon), Nuno Gomes de Azevedo (EDP Lisbon Marathon), Lorenzo Benfenati (Run Rome The Marathon), Paula Sof&iacute;a Herrera (Zurich Rock&rsquo;n&rsquo;Roll Madrid Marathon) and Magdalena Skrocka (Warsaw Marathon).
Moderated by Chris Robb, CEO &amp; Founder of Mass Participation World, the webinar will conclude with a joint discussion among representatives of the European Marathon Classics, highlighting how leading races can work together to strengthen the global running community.
The session will also serve as a preview of the European Running Business Conference 2026 in Porto&ndash;Gaia (6&ndash;8 November 2026).
Participants are invited to register for the webinar and discover more about ERBC 2026 Porto&ndash;Gaia via the links below:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.erbc2026.european-athletics.com/MPWwebinar.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Webinar registration</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.erbc2026.european-athletics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Discover ERBC 2026 Porto&ndash;Gaia</a></li>
</ul>