World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen to deliver lasting positive impact

As the global elite and tens of thousands of recreational runners gather for the World Athletics Road Running Championships (WRRC Copenhagen 26) – the official world championships for the one mile, 5km, and half marathon – the ambitions extend well beyond record-breaking times and race distances.

Behind the scenes, organisers are systematically integrating social responsibility to improve workflows, procurement, and processes – not only for these championships but for major events in the future. While elite athletes race through Copenhagen's streets followed by 65,000 participants, both the runners and the more than 100,000 spectators are expected to play an active role in the event's sustainability efforts.

This includes sorting waste responsibly, choosing environmentally friendly transport options, and opting for climate-conscious food. At the same time, the event will act as a catalyst for engaging children, young people, and individuals living with illnesses across the country – all with the aim of creating lasting benefits for public health.

"It may sound simple to ask people to sort their waste or take the bus, but as a leading green city, Copenhagen has a responsibility – especially when we welcome the world," says Christopher Røhl, Mayor of Culture and Leisure, City of Copenhagen. "We cannot take over the city and its public spaces without taking responsibility for the footprint we leave behind. That is why I am proud that we are hosting a World Championships that addresses climate impact while strengthening our sports communities. It sets an important new direction for the future of tourism and events – and Copenhagen is leading the way."

A key ambition, in collaboration with World Athletics, is to achieve gold certification under the federation's sustainability framework, the Athletics for a Better World Standard. To reach this level, organisers must collect data and demonstrate action across 55 action areas, covering climate end environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance. This objective is also central to the event's partners:

"When Denmark hosts major international sporting events, it comes with a responsibility to do so in a more sustainable way," says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark. "That is why at Sport Event Denmark, we have introduced minimum green requirements for event organisers. It is about concrete actions – from renewable energy and reducing food waste to circular solutions and better use of public transport. Together with organisers such as Sparta, we demonstrate that major sporting events bring people together while also setting the direction for a more sustainable future."

A similar focus is reflected in the strategy of Wonderful Copenhagen:"International events bring locals and visitors together around shared experiences making them stronger catalysts for changing behaviour and creating long-term positive impact both locally and internationally," says Kit Lykketoft, Director of Congresses, Events & Sustainability. "Ensuring such a lasting legacy from events is something we work on strategically across Copenhagen's tourism sector, and we are therefore very pleased to be part of the ambitions connected to the World Athletics Road Running Championships."

While the ambitions are concrete, the approach is deliberately pragmatic and impact-driven. Rather than grand gestures, organisers are focused on steady, measurable progress – taking many small steps in the right direction, collecting data, and using insights to drive long-term improvements.

"The World Championships provide a unique international platform that allows us to elevate our social responsibility efforts to a new level," says Dorte Vibjerg, CEO of Sparta Athletics & Running. "The requirements we introduce and the experience we gain here will create lasting effects that extend far beyond the event itself, directly influencing how we organise future major events."

She is supported by the organisation's sustainability lead:"We believe that an 'every action counts' approach will take us far," says Nynne Ammundsen, Head of Sustainability, Sparta Athletics & Running. "Rather than promoting one overly ambitious goal, we are setting measurable targets across a wide range of areas where we, as organisers, can genuinely make a difference. Together, these cumulative efforts can create a positive impact and deliver meaningful results in the long term."

All sustainability efforts are brought together under the slogan:Do less. Do greener. Do it together.

Five key focus areas have been defined:

With these ambitions, the organisers send a clear message: the 2026 World Road Running Championships will not only be a world-class sporting celebration, but also a firm step towards a more responsible future for international sporting events.

World Athletics Sustainability framework