A unique on-line conference on Europe’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 “Focus on European Marathon Classics with the European Running Business Conference” on Wednesday, 19 August 2026 at 13:00 CEST.
The session will bring together leading figures from some of Europe’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.
Industry leaders
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’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 Sofía Herrera (Zurich Rock’n’Roll Madrid Marathon) and Magdalena Skrocka (Warsaw Marathon).
Moderated by Chris Robb, CEO & 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–Gaia (6–8 November 2026).
Participants are invited to register for the webinar and discover more about ERBC 2026 Porto–Gaia via the links below: