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Wings for Life World Run 2026 raises record €9.2 million

By
Gary
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Participants seen during the Wings for Life World Run in Vienna, Austria on May 10, 2026 // Philip Platzer for Wings for Life World Run // SI202605100533 // Usage for editorial use only //
Participants seen during the Wings for Life World Run in Vienna, Austria on May 10, 2026 // Philip Platzer for Wings for Life World Run // SI202605100533 // Usage for editorial use only //

The 13th edition of the Wings for Life World Run has concluded with a confirmed global fundraising record of €9.2 million. On May 10, 2026, a record 346,527 participants from 192 nationalities took part in the event, which supports the Wings for Life Foundation in its mission to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

100% of all entry fees and donations go directly to spinal cord research. The event’s 1:1 funding ratio is made possible because all administrative and event overheads are covered independently. Since its inaugural edition in 2014, the run has generated a total of €69.7 million for scientific progress.

Participation by the numbers
The scale of the 2026 international event was reflected in several key performance metrics:

  • 346,527 total registered participants – a new record for the series
  • 173 countries involved, with participants starting simultaneously at 11:00 UTC
  • 648 App Run Events held in cities such as London, New York, Tokyo, and Mumbai
  • Seven sold-out Flagship Runs in Vienna, Munich, Zug, Breda, Poznan, Ljubljana, and Zadar
  • 2,889,278km covered collectively by the global field
  • 59% of participants took part in organised community events

The field included various high-profile athletes, such as Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Yuki Tsunoda, who ran at the team’s campus in Milton Keynes, UK. Other notable participants included alpine skier Marco Odermatt, HYROX World Champion Alexander Rončević, and 100-year-old Austrian Paula Attwenger, the event’s oldest ever participant.

Record-breaking performances
The Wings for Life World Run uses a unique Catcher Car format where the finish line pursues the athletes. 30 minutes after the start, both physical and virtual Catcher Cars began moving at 14km/h, increasing speed incrementally until the final runners were overtaken.

Two new world records were established during the 2026 race. Jo Fukuda of Japan claimed the men’s global title by reaching 78.95km in Fukuoka. In the women’s category, Mikky Keetels of the Netherlands set a new all-time record of 62.24km while competing in Breda.

In the UK, Stefan Otway took the men’s title with a distance of 62.94km, while Harriet Tapley was the leading female runner, reaching 38.1km.

Driving research in a neglected frontier
Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects up to 500,000 new cases annually, yet it remains one of medicine’s most underfunded areas. According to the Wings for Life Foundation, SCI often falls into a ‘Funding Valley of Death’ – a gap where commercial pharmaceutical investment is limited because the market is considered too small for traditional returns.

Anita Gerhardter, Chair of the Executive Board at Wings for Life, said “I’m proud of the amazing numbers we achieved together. These are not just statistics; they represent people who care. Every single cent will be invested in promising research projects and will bring hope to so many people.”

The foundation has funded 344 research projects to date. Currently, 72 projects are active across 15 countries. Notably, 18% of these projects have already translated from laboratory discovery into human clinical trials.

Specific milestones include the NVG-291 study, co-financed by Wings for Life with €2.56 million, which showed a 3.7-fold improvement in hand function for chronic SCI patients. Additionally, research into Vagus nerve stimulation, supported by a €1.1 million grant, has demonstrated improvements in arm and hand strength.

Verena May, Executive Director Research Portfolio at Wings for Life, added “The question is no longer whether spinal cord injury will be treatable, but when. Multiple therapies are now in clinical trials, some already showing positive results.”

The next edition of the Wings for Life World Run is confirmed to take place on May 9, 2027.

www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com

 

Maurten named Official Nutrition Partner for Supertri Blenheim Palace

By
Gary
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Maurten named Official Nutrition Partner for Supertri Blenheim Palace

Supertri has announced that Maurten, the performance nutrition company, is the Official Nutrition Partner for Supertri Blenheim Palace 2026.

Maurten is known for its patented Hydrogel technology, a structure that encapsulates carbohydrates with the aiming of making sports fuels easier to tolerate during high-intensity exercise. The partnership aims to provide nutrition used at the highest levels of endurance sport to all participants at the Blenheim Palace event, from elite professionals to age-group competitors.

As part of the agreement, Maurten products will be available at Supertri Blenheim Palace, which is the largest triathlon in the UK. Each athlete on the start line will also receive a Maurten race pack to assist with their endurance fuelling.

Michael D’hulst, Supertri CEO and Co-Founder, said “Supertri Blenheim Palace is a truly special event – a world-class race in a world-class setting. Partnering with Maurten is a reflection of our commitment to giving every athlete the very best tools to perform. Maurten’s science-first approach to fueling aligns perfectly with what Supertri stands for, and we’re excited to bring that to Blenheim.”

Supertri focuses on short course triathlon racing through an international series of festivals in key city locations. The organisation aims to connect elite and everyday athletes in the same arenas, catering to everyone from Olympic gold medallists to first-time participants.

Maurten was founded in 2015 and focuses on a science-led approach to endurance nutrition. Its Hydrogel technology was developed to allow athletes to consume high amounts of carbohydrates during exercise without the associated stomach stress often caused by traditional sports drinks and gels.

The Blenheim Palace event remains one of the most prominent fixtures on the UK short-course triathlon calendar. Further details regarding the full 2026 event schedule can be found on the organiser’s website.

www.supertri.com

 

HYROX Youngstars confirmed as permanent international series

By
Gary
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HYROX Youngstars backpack

HYROX has officially announced that HYROX Youngstars will become a permanent fixture at future events. Designed for athletes aged 8–15, the category introduces younger competitors to fitness racing through an age-adapted version of the core HYROX format.

The series follows a period of growth for the brand, which reportedly saw more than 1.5 million racers participate internationally during the 2025/26 season. The youth division aims to mirror the traditional HYROX course while ensuring a safe and motivating environment tailored to younger participants.

The concept was first piloted in Amsterdam in January 2026, where over 1,500 competitors took part. A second event held in London in March 2026 saw a 20% increase in participation, with more than 1,800 athletes.

Data from the London event highlighted the family appeal of the format, as 22% of the young racers had a parent also competing at HYROX London Olympia. Additionally, 10% of the participants were repeat racers from the Amsterdam pilot, according to the company.

The series will next head to Berlin on May 30–31, 2026, before featuring at the HYROX World Championships in Stockholm in June. While a formal Youngstars World Championship race has not yet been established, the event in Sweden will include dedicated on-site activations for young athletes.

To support the expansion of HYROX Youngstars, the HYROX Academy is developing a global framework for coach education and safeguarding protocols. This system is intended to help affiliates and gym owners deliver appropriate training for junior athletes and is scheduled for launch in July 2026.

Moritz Fürste, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at HYROX, said “Our mission has always been to create a sport for everybody, and HYROX Youngstars is a natural extension of that vision. This is about the future of fitness racing – creating an environment that inspires young people to get active and take part in a sport that supports both physical and mental development.”

Jessica Petty, Global HYROX Youngstars Manager, added “HYROX Youngstars has been an incredible journey so far, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow globally. We set out to create something fun, inclusive, and inspiring – not just for children, but for families.”

With the 2026/2027 race calendar now announced, nine Youngstars events have been confirmed between September and December. These will take place in various international locations, including Maastricht, Oslo, Birmingham, Utrecht, London, Paris, Salt Lake City, UT, and Anaheim, CA.

The confirmed schedule for late 2026 includes:

  • HYROX Youngstars Maastricht and Salt Lake City, UT, on September 19–20, 2026
  • HYROX Youngstars Oslo on September 26–27, 2026
  • HYROX Youngstars Birmingham on October 31 – November 1, 2026
  • HYROX Youngstars Utrecht on November 28–29, 2026
  • HYROX Youngstars London ExCeL and Anaheim, CA, on December 5–6, 2026
  • HYROX Youngstars Paris on December 19–20, 2026

HYROX is a fitness racing ecosystem built around a race format of 8 x 1km runs and eight functional workout stations. The brand is currently driving toward Olympic recognition by connecting gym communities through its competition structure.

www.hyrox.com

 

Relay teams to race Alistair Brownlee at Skipton Multisport Festival

By
Gary
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Alistair Brownlee

At this year’s Skipton Multisport Festival, entrants in the Sprint Triathlon Relay will have the opportunity to race against double Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee.

The event takes place on May 24, 2026, at 09:00 BST. The challenge is designed as a showdown where teams of three take on the sprint relay format against the Olympic champion. The race consists of a 400m swim, a 22km bike leg, and a 5km run.

The Skipton Multisport Festival is organised by TBF Events, which was founded by brothers Alistair Brownlee and Jonny Brownlee. The organisation aims to make triathlon and multisport more accessible to a wide range of participants, from beginners to seasoned athletes.

The Skipton Multisport Festival is held over the May bank holiday weekend (May 23,26, 2026) at Aireville Park in Skipton, Yorkshire. The event is described by the organiser as being community-focused and features junior races, trail runs, and cycling events for various ages and abilities.

Alistair Brownlee is the only athlete to win two Olympic titles in the individual triathlon event and is widely regarded as one of the most successful competitors in the history of the sport.

The festival is designed around participation and inclusivity, with the goal of getting families active together in the Yorkshire town often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’. Alongside the relay event, the schedule includes junior runs and various beginner-friendly races.

Entry for the Sprint Triathlon Relay is priced at £75 per team, plus a 4% booking fee.

www.tbfevents.co.uk

 

The Grip gravel team kit released by Café du Cycliste

By
Gary
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The Grip team kit

Café du Cycliste, the French apparel label based on the Côte d’Azur, has announced that its official team kit for The Grip is available for public sale.

The Grip is an elite gravel team and is the brainchild of Italian bike brand Wilier Triestina and Mattia De Marchi, a three-time winner of The Traka360. Café du Cycliste serves as the official kit supplier for the squad, which includes riders Mattia De Marchi, Eddy Le Huitouze, and Jordy Bouts.

The team has seen a variety of results during the early part of the 2026 season. These include two stage wins and a podium in the general classification for Eddy Le Huitouze at Sahara Gravel, as well as a fifth-place finish for Mattia De Marchi at Gravel Desert. The team also competed at The Traka in Girona, Spain, on April 29 to May 3, 2026.

The official apparel collection becoming available to the public includes the Bergida superlight jersey, which is made from recycled fabrics and designed for breathability. For cooler conditions, the range features the Constance long-sleeve jersey.

Technical pieces in the line-up of the official The Grip kit also include the Victoire bib shorts. These are produced using a lightweight, breathable, and compressive fabric. The collection is rounded out by aero socks and the Chiara casual tee, intended for supporters to wear when not on the bike.

Café du Cycliste points out that it was one of the first clothing companies to recognise the gravel movement and produce specific apparel for the discipline. Its technical and lifestyle products are predominantly manufactured in Europe, utilising recycled and sustainable materials. The company achieved B Corp certification in 2024.

The Grip has a full international racing schedule planned for the remainder of the 2026 season, which includes participation in Unbound Gravel in Emporia, KS, and various other major events across the gravel racing calendar.

www.cafeducycliste.com

 

Payments platform Sokin announced as global partner of T100 Triathlon World Tour

By
Gary
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Professional Triathletes Organisation, PTO, announces Sokin as Global Partner of T100 Triathlon World Tour

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has announced a three-year agreement with global payments and financial platform Sokin. The deal sees Sokin become a foundational partner of the T100 Triathlon World Tour and is on board as its Official Global Business Payments Partner.

As part of the partnership, Sokin will take the title sponsorship of the San Francisco T100 event on June 6–7, 2026. The professional race will be branded as the Sokin San Francisco T100 Triathlon, while the 46th edition of the amateur race will become the Sokin Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.

The PTO will utilise Sokin’s global platform to manage its cross-border financial operations, including multi-currency accounts, FX, and treasury infrastructure. According to the organisation, this will streamline international business operations as the tour expands its international footprint.

Vroon Modgill, CEO of Sokin, said “The US is a major growth market for Sokin and having the honour of putting our name on the legendary Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon puts us in front of exactly the kind of business audience we want to reach there.”

Sam Renouf, CEO of PTO, said “This is a significant partnership for the PTO at an important moment in our growth. As we prepare to launch our new Triathlon World Tour in 2027 with our partners World Triathlon, scaling from 9 events this year to more than 80 globally, having the right partners in place is critical.”

The T100 Tour has already completed stops on the Gold Coast, Australia, and in Singapore. The remaining 2026 T100 Race To Qatar schedule includes:

  • Spain (May 23–24)
  • San Francisco, CA (June 6–7)
  • Vancouver (August 15–16)
  • French Riviera (September 19–20)
  • Dubai (November 12–15)
  • Saudi Arabia (November)
  • Qatar (December 11–12)

The PTO’s T100 Triathlon World Tour is designated by World Triathlon as the official world championship for long distance triathlon. Each event features a 100km format consisting of a 2km swim, 80km bike, and 18km run.

Sokin, founded in 2019 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, provides a platform for businesses to exchange more than 70 currencies. The Sokin Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon will be produced in collaboration with MARI, an international events and experiences company.

www.protriathletes.org

 

Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB reaches participation high as five races sell out

By
Gary
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Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB - image credit Claudia Robson

Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB in South Africa has reached its highest athlete total of the event’s last three editions. The ultra running event, which returns to George, South Africa, from May 29–31, 2026, has confirmed that five race distances are now officially sold out.

The MUT 100, MUT 60, MUT Marathon, MUT Challenge, and MUT Lite have reached capacity as the event team prepares to welcome more than 2,300 athletes across elite and amateur fields.

Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB is set in the Outeniqua Mountains on South Africa’s east coast. The course takes in indigenous forests and fynbos (natural shrubland) ridgelines with views towards the Indian Ocean and the Karoo (the semidesert natural region of South Africa).

The MUT by UTMB event team noted that athlete totals have climbed by 26.4% from 2024 to 2026… ‘pointing to an event that continues to grow in both scale and depth across the race calendar.’

As the only African event in the UTMB World Series, the race serves as a platform for South Africa’s trail running community on an international stage. South African athletes make up the core of the field with 1,881 runners confirmed. The event also draws international participants from markets such as the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Spain, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Carmen Schmahl, Race Director, said “To see the 2026 edition reach a new participation high, with such a strong mix of first-time athletes and returning runners, is a really encouraging sign for MUT by UTMB. To have five races sold out in record time only adds to that momentum. It reflects not only the quality of the race, but also the challenge of the courses and the appeal of the Outeniqua Mountains as a destination.”

The UTMB World Series was launched in May 2021 through a partnership between UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group. It provides a circuit of events across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, serving as the qualifying path for the UTMB World Series Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc in France.

mut.utmb.world

 

Giro d’Italia expands digital presence for 109th edition

By
Gary
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Giro d’Italia expands digital presence for 109th edition

With this year’s Giro d’Italia (May 8–31, 2026) now under way, the Italian Grand Tour has unveiled an expanded digital universe for its 109th edition, incorporating gaming platforms such as Fortnite and educational tools alongside its traditional coverage.

According to event organiser, RCS Sport, the digital strategy aims to offer a more immersive experience for the Corsa Rosa, which this year features a Grande Partenza in Bulgaria.

The race, which began in Burgas, Bulgaria, on May 8, 2026, is being supported by a multilingual official website and app. These platforms provide live written commentary in Italian, English, Spanish, and French, supplemented by real-time statistics and background content.

For the first time, the Giro d’Italia has entered the gaming world with an official map on Fortnite. Here, players can explore virtual versions of race locations such as Naples, Rome, Milan, and Blockhaus. The initiative marks the first time bicycles have been introduced as a vehicle within the Fortnite game. In its first week, the initiative reportedly reached 421,000 active players across 142 countries.

RCS Sport adds that fan engagement remains a core focus through several interactive platforms:

  • FantaGiro d’Italia: Now in its third edition, the fantasy cycling game has seen more than 30,000 teams created. Participants manage a budget of ‘100 Wolfie’ to select riders such as Jonas Vingegaard and Jonathan Milan in the game.
  • FanZone Challenge: Available at play.giroditalia.it, this platform includes a Predictor game for stage winners and a Faster Climber game for 11 major climbs. Fans also vote for the daily ‘Combattivo’ award between 16:00 and 20:30 on each stage.
  • Strava Partnership: Here, a collaboration continues with 11 iconic climbing segments and official routes available on Strava. The Giro d’Italia Strava Club currently has a community of 60,000 members.

The event has also launched a digital partnership with Kahoot! as the Digital Learning Partner for BiciScuola. This initiative uses quizzes to engage students on topics such as road safety and environmental sustainability.

Social media coverage continues across Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube, with a focus on collaborative content produced alongside the competing teams to provide a view from within the peloton.

www.giroditalia.it

 

Alé ties-up with Nicolas Roche on gravel product development

By
Gary
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Alé ties-up with Nicolas Roche on gravel product development

Italian apparel specialist Alé has announced a new collaboration with former professional cyclist Nicolas Roche, who is now active within the gravel racing scene. The partnership aims to combine Roche’s professional experience with Alé’s focus on high-end technical apparel.

Based in Verona, Italy, Alé will support the Irish rider with technical apparel for his training rides and gravel race programme. This includes a custom UCI Gravel World Champion jersey, following Roche’s victory in the Masters 40–44 category at the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

According to the company, the partnership is part of a broader strategy to strengthen direct dialogue with elite athletes. Roche will provide technical feedback to support ongoing product development.

Roche will be supplied with the PRS 1000 range. Alé notes that this collection is dedicated to professional riders and represents its most advanced research into aerodynamics, body mapping, and anatomical fit.

Alessia Piccolo, CEO of Alé parent company APG, said “Nicolas’ experience in professional cycling and his current vision of gravel racing bring tremendous value to our brand. This collaboration goes beyond sponsorship alone: working closely with athletes like Nicolas allows us to keep refining our products and better meet the demands of modern cyclists.”

Nicolas Roche said “After so many years in professional cycling, I know how much the right apparel can make a difference – not only in terms of performance, but also confidence. Starting this collaboration with Alé is something that genuinely excites me, because we share the same vision of quality, innovation, and passion for this sport.”

Born in 1984, Roche was a professional cyclist from 2005 to 2021. During his career at the highest level of the sport, he claimed stage victories at the Vuelta a España and competed in 24 Grand Tours. Since retiring from the professional peloton, he has focused on gravel racing while acting as an ambassador within the industry.

www.alecycling.com

 

HypER5 marathon circuit highlights five races in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

By
Gary
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HypER5 marathon circuit highlights five races in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

HypER5 has been introduced as the official circuit of five marathons across the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. Spanning 2026-27, the series includes events in Parma, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, Bologna, and Rimini, offering athletes a way to experience the region throughout the seasons.

The circuit is designed to showcase the character of different cities within Emilia-Romagna, an area known for its history, art, and gastronomy. According to the organisers, the series aims to offer more than a standard race weekend by integrating local culture and a ‘slower pace’ into the athlete experience.

The 2026 schedule begins with three key events:

  • Parma Marathon on October 17–18, 2026. This weekend features multiple distances including 42.2km, 32km, 24km, and 10km. The event is set in a city world-famous for its culinary heritage, such as Prosciutto di Parma.
  • Ravenna Marathon City of Art on November 7–8, 2026. Participants in the marathon, half marathon, and 10km events run past UNESCO-listed mosaics. Each finisher receives a handcrafted medal produced by Ravenna’s mosaic artisans.
  • Maratona di Reggio Emilia on December 13, 2026. This event offers a marathon and half marathon distance and is noted for its local support and fast routes to close out the 2026 season.

Looking ahead to the completion of the HypER5 circuit, two further events are scheduled for 2027. The Bologna Marathon is set for March 7, 2027, followed by the Rimini Marathon in April 2027.

The Emilia-Romagna region provides a backdrop of historic streets as well as proximity to the Adriatic coast for the Rimini and Ravenna events. The organisers aim to highlight the authentic local spirit and regional food culture as primary draws for endurance athletes visiting northern Italy.

For those participating in the full HypER5 series, the circuit provides a structured way to tour the region over two calendar years. Each race is positioned as a weekend experience where running is a core part, but is also the beginning of a trip.

www.maratonemiliaromagna.it/hyperfive

 

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