World Athletics gives mass-participation running a dedicated department

World Athletics has created a standalone Running & Mass Participation department, giving its work beyond the stadium a more distinct organisational home. The new department will be led by Jakob Larsen, working alongside Alessio Punzi.

Its remit includes road running, marathons, cross-country, mountain and trail activity, the road-race label programme and related technical and educational services. The announcement also places the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Cape Town within a busy period for the wider running calendar.

Running has more than one audience

A major road race can contain an elite competition and a mass-participation event at the same time. The leading athletes are racing for positions and fast times, while thousands of other entrants may be pursuing personal goals. Both groups depend on an event that is measured, organised and operated properly.

That makes the work behind the finish line important. Course accuracy, official results and clear participant information are not glamorous parts of a race broadcast, but they influence whether performances can be understood and whether entrants can plan their day.

A dedicated department does not automatically solve those practical challenges. Its significance is that it identifies a set of responsibilities and gives them a clearer place within the governing body’s structure. The quality of the work still has to be demonstrated.

Growth brings questions of quality

More runners and more events create opportunities, but participation totals alone do not explain the experience of taking part. An event can attract a large field while still needing improvements in communication, access or basic operations.

For organisers, the challenge is to consider the whole journey rather than only the start and finish photographs. Registration, race information, route planning and the handling of different paces all contribute to whether a participant feels able to return.

Why the African dimension matters

Africa’s contribution to elite distance running is prominent, but the wider running ecosystem includes clubs, community events, officials, volunteers and recreational participants. Coverage that recognises those roles offers a fuller account of the sport.

Cape Town’s place in the mountain and trail calendar is one specific point of interest. It should not be taken to mean that every local event becomes part of an international programme. The relevant arrangements and eligibility still need to be checked with each organiser.

The new department sets out an administrative change with a broad practical remit. Its eventual value will be visible in the quality and clarity of the services delivered to the running community. The announcement is the beginning of that assessment, while the everyday experience of athletes and participants will provide much of the evidence.

Source: World Athletics establishes new Running & Mass Participation department. Reporting and analysis by Montage Africa.