# The World Treadmill Championship – pitching elite runners against amateurs

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-world-treadmill-championship-pitching-elite-runners-against-amateurs/
- Published: 2026-10-23T05:58:25+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:10:42+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/articles/cmgel5vd5gqno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport

## Key points

- Run X brings amateurs and elite runners together for a global treadmill 5km.
- Qualifying runs are free and open until 24 January.
- Finals in Italy next March offer a $100,000 prize pool.

## Summary

World Athletics has launched Run X, a global treadmill 5km competition that puts amateur runners on the same leaderboard as elite athletes. Organisers hope it will bring new people into the sport by making competition accessible, while also raising the profile of treadmill running.

Runners can complete a free 5km at an official centre by 24 January; the top quarter in each age category, from 18 to 75 and over, will progress to regional events. The ten fastest men and women in each category will reach the finals in Italy next March, where competitors will vie for a $100,000 prize pool. British marathon runner Charlotte Purdue recorded 18 minutes 15 seconds, and members of the She Strides club say indoor running can help women keep training safely during darker winter months.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.