RunGP, the new competitive running series backed by Olympic track legend Sir Mo Farah, will have all their races aired live and for free globally by international sports streaming platform DAZN.
RunGP, which is organized by the Global Running League, has been created as a new format within athletics and includes team-based running events featuring professional athletes, influencers, and celebrities. It will use Formula 1 racing circuits as venues.
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The main event will be a team relay, with four squads competing over seven one-kilometer laps. Before that, runners of all levels will be able to participate in a mass participation race over seven kilometers.
Under the new rights deal, DAZN will broadcast the entire RunGP series live and free across its platform in over 200 markets.
The deal expands DAZN’s free-to-air sports offering, which includes properties such as LIV Golf, motor racing’s E1, and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
Speaking to UK outlet The Independent, Farah said: “When I watch athletics, to me, it’s not as exciting as it once was. How do we make athletics exciting? How do we make running exciting? How do you make running this big global event?
“And that’s what we’re trying, in every way. But this idea is to make this league something that has never been heard of and make history.”
The new series comes as fellow ex-Olympian Michael Johnson launches his sprint-focused Grand Slam Track, while World Athletics’ long-established Diamond League has also begun its 2025 season.
Addressing a potential clash between the two new competitions, Farah added: “Michael Johnson is a friend of mine, he’s doing an amazing thing to create more in athletics.
“But if you look at that, that’s purely done from sprint or 5K. We’re talking about the distance here. We’re going to go full out, we’ll do the marathon, half marathon, and beyond. But really this event is for the masses, not just the elite level, for everyone and everyone. From kids to all the way through.”
The inaugural RunGP event will be held at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar on May 9 and 10.
