2026 European Off-Road Running Championships start on 5th June in Slovenia
Just one week to go until the 2026 European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships, with Europe’s strongest mountain and trail runners preparing to converge on Kamnik and the surrounding Kamnik-Savinja Alps in Slovenia from 5–7 June.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Velika Planina and some of Slovenia’s most spectacular mountain terrain, the championships will bring together elite athletes from across the continent to compete in Trail, Uphill and Up-and-Down disciplines. Organisers are also opening the event to recreational runners, giving amateur athletes the rare opportunity to race on the same courses as Europe’s best.
Slovenia has rapidly established itself as one of Europe’s premier trail running destinations, and the 2026 championships promise challenging mountain courses, technical terrain and a festival atmosphere celebrating off-road running in all its forms.
Novuna GB & NI Squad Announced
UK Athletics has confirmed a powerful Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the championships, featuring a blend of experienced international athletes and emerging talent across the various disciplines.
Among the athletes heading to Slovenia is rising British trail runner Ben Rothery, who recently appeared on the RunUltra Podcast following an impressive run of results. Rothery secured his place on the Novuna GB & NI team after winning the British Trail Running Championships Middle Distance race at the RunThrough Lakes 50k, underlining his growing reputation as one of the country’s most exciting off-road talents. Listen to RunUltra’s podcast with Ben on Spotify or Apple.
Photo credit: ITRA
Rothery joins a talented men’s team that includes Alexander Chepelin, Luke Grenfell-Shaw and Bertie Houghton, with Great Britain and Northern Ireland expected to be firmly in medal contention throughout the championships. The senior men’s Uphill team includes Jacob Adkin, who claimed European Uphill silver in 2024 and will be looking to challenge once again on Slovenia’s steep mountain courses.
Scout Adkin returns as part of the senior women’s Up-and-Down team aiming to defend the European team gold won in Annecy in 2024. Fellow gold medallist Naomi Lang also returns, while Adkin will additionally target success in the Uphill race after securing individual silver in the discipline at the previous championships.
The Trail team also boasts significant strength. In the women’s squad, Emily Cowper-Coles, Scarlet Dale, Kirsty Oldham and Eve Pannone have all earned selection following impressive performances during the qualification period. On the men’s side, Alexander Chepelin, Luke Grenfell-Shaw and Bertie Houghton form part of a highly competitive British contingent heading to Slovenia.
UK Athletics highlighted the depth of performances seen during the selection races and expressed confidence that the squad can challenge for medals across multiple disciplines. The team combines seasoned championship performers with several athletes making their first appearance at a major international off-road championship.
Racing Open to All
One of the unique features of the European Off-Road Running Championships is the opportunity for recreational runners to participate alongside elite athletes. Organisers have created open races that allow trail runners from across Europe to experience championship-level courses and atmosphere while sharing the event with international stars.
The rapid rise of the European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships is reflected in the record-breaking entry numbers for Slovenia 2026. A total of 593 athletes from 33 countries will compete across the three-day event, making it the largest edition of the championships since their launch in 2022. Participation has increased dramatically from the approximately 480 athletes representing 30 countries at Annecy in 2024, while the inaugural championships in El Paso in 2022 attracted 283 runners from 24 nations. The figures underline both the growing popularity of trail and mountain running across Europe and the increasing prestige of the championships within the international off-road running calendar.
With championship medals on the line, stunning Alpine scenery and a strong British team aiming for success, the 2026 European Off-Road Running Championships look set to be one of the highlights of the international trail and mountain running calendar.
For more information, visit European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships Slovenia 2026 and follow team updates via British Athletics.
Header image: ITRA
