On Global Running Day (4 June), the Dutch city of Utrecht is confirmed as the hosts of the third edition of the European Running Championships set to take place in May 2029.
The inaugural edition in Brussels-Leuven on 12-13 April this year was a huge success. Around 180,000 spectators cheered on 28,500 mass participants taking part in 10km, half marathon and marathon events behind elite athletes such as four-times European champion Nadia Battocletti and multiple European medallist Yann Schrub.
The next edition will take place in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on 17-18 April 2027 and following that, the picturesque Utrecht will play host two years later.
A rich history
Utrecht has a rich history in organising running events. As well as the Utrecht Marathon, Utrecht is also homebase for the Singelloop Utrecht, the oldest road running event in the Netherlands.
The event is a unique opportunity for recreational runners to take part in a European Championship. Top European athletes, who will compete for the Championships medals, and the recreational runners who will run for country ranking medals, will be running together.
In 2029, the event will be organized by Golazo Events, the organizer of the Utrecht Marathon, in collaboration with the Dutch Athletics Federation and the City of Utrecht.
"Extremely proud to host"
European Athletics President, Dobromir Karamarinov said: “Utrecht and the Netherlands have been selected to host the third edition of the European Running Championships in 2029 for one simple reason: the Netherlands is all about running!“
"Whether it is a Marathon, Half Marathon or the 10 km, we can see people falling in love with running, and we expect that the City of Utrecht will become the European Capital of Running for this event. The Utrecht Marathon will transform itself to the European Running Championships with an ambition to host 40,000 runners from across Europe in 2029.”
Wilbert Lek, Managing Director Golazo Events said: “We are extremely proud to host the European Running Championships in 2029. For once, the Utrecht Marathon will be transformed into the European Running Championships!
"This perfectly matches our ambition to get as many people as possible moving and to combine International top-class sport with social impact. We want to show Europe how fantastic the province of Utrecht is as a running environment, with Utrecht Science Park as centre of the sport!"
Pieke de Zwart, CEO of the Dutch Athletics Federation said: "Following the highly successful European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn earlier this year, we are more determined than ever to bring additional top-level international events to the Netherlands. We are therefore extremely proud to be hosting the European Running Championships in 2029 in Utrecht.
"This unique international running event unites elite athletes and recreational runners, perfectly reflecting our mission to get people moving responsibly — and keep them moving — as we strive to become the most active nation in the world."
Eva Oosters, sports councilor of The Municipality of Utrecht added: “Utrecht has been a real running city for years, with great events like the Singelloop and the Utrecht Marathon. I am proud that we are bringing the European Running Championships to our city in 2029.
"This championship is special because both top athletes and recreational runners will be competing together. That fits well with what we find important in Utrecht: that everyone can participate in sport. We want to inspire inhabitants of Utrecht to move and meet through sport.
"Utrecht has the knowledge, energy and city dynamics to make this championship an unforgettable and unifying European sports event."
Christian Milz, CEO, European Athletics said: "The successful launch event of the European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven this year has demonstrated a winning format for mass participants and elite athletes. Our Member Federations and running organisers across Europe are recognising the potential of this new European Athletics event.
"With Belgrade set to host in 2027 and now Utrecht in 2029, we have two prestigious venues to look forward to and can see a long-term future for this event as a celebration of athletics and running for the whole of Europe - a true opportunity to Run with Champions."