World Athletics Road Running Championships Mass Races Await as Over 13,334 Runners from over 100 Countries!

1 October 2023

At the upcoming World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23, set to unfold in the heart of Latvia’s capital this weekend, an impressive 13,334 participants from over 100 countries have eagerly registered. This event has now etched its mark in Baltic history as the most geographically diverse sports spectacle.

This extraordinary championship beckons athletes to share the track with Olympic and world champions, drawing representatives from 56 national teams. What’s truly special is that, for the first time, it extends a warm welcome to every running enthusiast, families, and children alike, boasting a staggering total of 13,334 registered runners hailing from more than 100 countries.

On Sunday, the titles of champions will be fiercely contested in road mile, 5 km, and the half marathon. A distinguished cohort of 332 elite runners will be followed by passionate running enthusiasts in mass races, all striving to clinch well-deserved World Championships medals at the glorious finish line.

The World Championship running event dedicated to Rimi Kids’ Day, which marked a historic day in Baltic athletics on September 30, witnessed 3,065 young runners registering for the 200m, 400m, Babies courses, and the thrilling 50m sprint, where the crowning of the “Sprint King and Queen” took center stage.

From every corner of Latvia, students have embraced the challenge across various distances. In the intense competition for the Latvian School Cup, 50 educational institutions will vie for victory, forming a formidable team of almost 2,000 students. The Signet Bank Team Cup has attracted over 70 teams from leading Latvian companies, with the Rimi team proudly claiming the title of the largest contingent.

In 2023, Riga proudly stands as the World Road Running Capital, hosting the World Athletics Road Running Championships. This weekend is not just about the significant influx of foreign participants—2,575 runners from 100 countries, with Estonia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and Lithuania leading the representation. Three diverse international conferences related to running will also be a highlight, with the Global Running Conference taking the lead.

Top 13 countries competing in the World Road Running Championships Mass Races:

  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Poland
  • Lithuania
  • Norway
  • USA
  • France
  • Finland
  • Spain
  • Denmark
  • Italy

Event Schedule on October 1:

10:00 – 5 km mass run at the foot of the Stone Bridge

11:30 – Road mile race mass run near the Latvian National Museum of Art

11:50 – 5 km elite race | women at the Stone Bridge

12:15 – 5 km elite race | men at the Stone Bridge

13:00 – Road mile elite race | women near the Latvian National Museum of Art

13:10 – Road mile elite race | men near the Latvian National Museum of Art

13:30 – Half marathon elite race | women

14:15 – Half marathon elite race | men at the Stone Bridge

14:15 – Half marathon and 21 km relay mass run at the Stone Bridge

15:30 – Awards ceremony at the Embankment

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