Featured image credit: RunGP
RunGP, an endurance racing series promising to repurpose Formula 1 circuits as world class running venues, has launched with Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit its first venue partner.
RunGP is the flagship series of the Global Running League (GRL), a newly established sporting property designed to merge elite competition, mass participation and entertainment. Unlike traditional marathon racing, RunGP will introduce a team based format, integrating pro athletes, influencers and celebrity backed squads.
“For too long, running has been treated as an individual pursuit,” said Marcel Muenster, CEO of RunGP. “We’re introducing a new, commercially viable format where the spectacle matches the sport, where technology enhances the viewing experience and where participation is accessible to all. The potential for innovation in running has been untapped, and we intend to change that.”
RunGP’s debut season kicks off at Lusail International Circuit, home of F1’s annual Qatar Grand Prix, on May 9-10. The debut event will consist of the RunGP Qatar Final, an elite team relay, featuring four squads competing over seven 1km laps; and the RunGP Qatar 7.032, a mass participation race of 7.032km, or one-sixth of a marathon, designed for runners of all levels.
The two-day event will also incorporate the Moonlight Circuit, an immersive night race featuring LED lit tracks and visual storytelling; and One Mo Mile, a youth focused event inspired by Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.
The GRL was initially introduced last year as the first structured, team-based competition in running. Farah has been brought on board as an advisor, with organisers seeking to create an “evolution” in how running is experienced and commercialised through the use of live biometrics, digital overlays and enhanced fan engagement.
Muenster said: “Running is the most accessible sport in the world, but it has lacked a structured competitive league. RunGP provides the missing piece, creating an experience that excites both runners and spectators.
“With elite team competitions and mass participation at iconic circuits, we are turning running into something bigger than ever before.”
RunGP is partnering with sports streaming giant DAZN for its debut series, serving as the official event distribution partner. Its events are also promising to reinvent the premium race day experience by shifting away from traditional alcohol centric VIP setups to wellness driven, movement focused hospitality, aligning with the league’s sustainability ethos.
Its launch comes with another new series also lining up to disrupt the traditional athletics model. In November, Miami, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and the Jamaican capital of Kingston were finalised as the four host cities of Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson’s professional athletics league Grand Slam Track.
The inaugural meet is set to take place from April 4-6 at Kingston’s 35,000-capacity National Stadium at Independence Park.
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