World Athletics Gold

💫 A strong recognition for ambitious races

The Gold label is the distinction for races that aim to shine on the international stage 🌐. More accessible than the Platinum 💎, it allows more organizers to achieve excellence while maintaining some flexibility. Among the 42 beneficiaries of this coveted label are major international races 🌍 such as the Barcelona Marathon 🇪🇸, the Rotterdam Marathon 🇳🇱 or the Copenhagen Half Marathon 🇩🇰.

The criteria remain demanding and numerous: closing the course to traffic, coordination with local authorities, safety, media coverage, sustainable development, elite field... everything must be up to the standard of an international race 🌍. Organizers must also demonstrate their ability to handle a large volume of runners while ensuring a smooth and quality experience ✅ for everyone.

👑 A top-notch elite field

To achieve the Gold label 🥇, organizers must invite at least 4 Gold-level athletes 🏃‍♂️ (or 2 Gold and 2 Elite). This ensures a competitive race, often fast, that can break records and become a reference in the running calendar 🗓️. It is also an opportunity for young talents to express themselves alongside more established athletes 💪 and gain experience. In February 2025, during the Barcelona Half Marathon 🇪🇸, a race labeled Gold 🏅, Ugandan athlete Jacob Kiplimo 🇺🇬 shattered the half marathon world record ⏱️ (56'42). If the best athletes choose these races, it is also because they benefit from optimal conditions to perform 💪:

➡️ Victory and record bonuses

➡️ Logistics taken care of (transport, hotel)

➡️ Refreshment zones reserved for elites

➡️ Pre-race briefing: pacemakers, course presentation, etc.

➡️ Verification of race attire and shoes

➡️ Anti-doping program (a minimum number of 10 athletes are tested)

💰 Prizes commensurate with the event

World Athletics imposes a minimum prize amount 💸 for the top 8 athletes in Gold label marathons and the top 5 athletes in other distances 🏃‍♀️.

Minimum prize (per gender ♂️♀️)

Gold Label (Marathon)

1st: $50,000 💵

2nd: $20,000 💰

3rd: $10,000 💰

4th: $5,000 💰

5th: $4,000 💰

6th: $3,000 💰

7th: $2,000 💰

8th: $1,000 💰

Gold Label (other distances)

1st: $10,000 💵

2nd: $5,000 💰

3rd: $4,000 💰

4th: $3,000 💰

5th: $2,000 💰

🧭 A carefully measured and secure course

Like the Platinum label 💎, the course must be officially measured by two certified measurers, at least one of Grade A level (the highest certification level in course measurement). This element is essential for the certification of performances and the ratification of world records 🌍. The safety of the runners, the management of refreshments, the medical setup, and the compliance with technical rules are scrutinized closely 🔍. World Athletics does not issue a label without ensuring all these points are strictly adhered to.

To pave the way for elite athletes, a lead vehicle preceding the pack is present throughout the course. World Athletics also encourages organizers to draw a line on the ground to indicate the fastest trajectory and install a stopwatch ⏱️ on the lead vehicle to display the elapsed time since the start of the race 🏁.

🌍 An environmental commitment for greener races

On the environmental side 🌱, World Athletics continues its sustainable development strategy ♻️ and encourages organizers to design more responsible events. The Gold label 🥇 requires a minimum score of 45 points in the Athletics for a Better World program 🌍, which includes numerous topics such as climate, responsible consumption, equality, diversity, carbon footprint, etc. This translates into concrete actions by race organizers: reducing plastic at refreshment stations, recycling, sustainable local partnerships, limiting unnecessary travel, a strong and necessary commitment today 📆.

📺 International visibility

To be labeled Gold 🥇, an event must plan for significant media coverage 📡. Even though live TV broadcasting is not mandatory, Gold races must ensure a strong digital presence and regular performance tracking. The visibility of these events attracts sponsors, media, and athlete representatives 🎽. In granting the label, World Athletics also analyzes the organizer's communication strategy: post-race interviews, presence on social media, prompt publication of results, or media partner coverage.

🏃‍♀️ An unforgettable experience for all runners

Gold races 🥇 often bring together several thousand participants. The course is rigorously marked, times are officially certified, and infrastructures are installed to host both elite runners and the general public. From the moment of arrival in the city, everything is planned to ensure the runner's experience is successful ✅: smooth bib collection, activities in the race village, partner activations, festive atmosphere... And on race day, every detail counts to allow all runners to surpass themselves 💥 in the best conditions:

➡️ Course closed to traffic 🚧

➡️ Festive atmosphere 🥳

➡️ Well-oiled logistics ⚙️

➡️ Space adapted for runner reception 🧳 (cloakrooms, starting areas)

➡️ Reliable individual electronic timing ⏱️

✨ The Gold label is a strong recognition

The Gold label 🥇 is a strong recognition in the world of running 🏃‍♂️. For organizers and runners alike, it is a guarantee of seriousness ✅, quality, and often, an unforgettable running experience 🌟.

👉 Want to learn more about other levels of label?

Also discover the articles about the Platinum Label, the Elite Label, and the World Athletics Label.