Photo via BBC Sport

World Road Running Championships 2026 - watch across the BBC

The Danish capital of Copenhagen will stage the fourth running of the World Athletics Road Running Championships this September, featuring contested titles over the mile, 5k, and half marathon distances. Fresh from securing a 5,000m triumph in Budapest at the Ultimate Athletics Championships, Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen headlines the global event.

Joining the international contingent is Jess McClain, who posted the top two marathon marks among American women across 2025 and 2026 and will line up for the half marathon.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland will field a roster of 13 competitors, spearheaded by former Tokyo Olympic finalist Jake Heyward, who placed fourth in the 1500m at both the 2026 European Championships and Commonwealth Games. Double national 1500m winner Sarah Calvert will make her inaugural appearance in the road mile, while Alex Bell and Samantha Harrison contest the women's half marathon alongside a men's squad comprising Alfie Manthorpe, Jack Rowe, Joe Wigfield, and Charles Wheeler.

Rounding out the British selections are 5k runners Megan Keith, Commonwealth bronze winner Hannah Nuttall, and David Mullarkey, who previously captured a UK 5,000m crown as well as a Commonwealth 10,000m bronze medal.