• IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE RUNNING WORLD NEWS ON WHATSAPP, CLICK HERE.
Just eight months after the launch of European Marathon Classics (EMC), a new circuit that gathers eight of Europe’s most iconic marathons, the first chapter of its history has already been completed. 140 runners from around the world received the first EMC Finisher medals in Warsaw, Lisbon, and Frankfurt, and they became the inaugural Class of 2026.
Warsaw: where it all began
The first chapter was written in Warsaw on September 27, 2026. There, 60 runners received their EMC Finisher medals and became the first members of the Class of 2026. Among them were several exceptional pioneers.
Jerzy Wysokiński (Poland), Donna Dawn Richards (United Kingdom) and Martin Zackor (Germany) achieved an extraordinary milestone: by the time they crossed the Warsaw finish line, they had already completed all eight EMC marathons. They were the first runners to finish the complete set of eight races and receive the EMC Finisher medal.
Meanwhile, the British runner James Wagstaff achieved his fifth valid Classic in a single calendar year. He completed Rome, Vienna, London, Copenhagen, and Warsaw in 2026, an impressive sweep across Europe in a single marathon season.
Lisbon brought new milestones
The journey continued in Lisbon on October 10, 2026. Another 39 runners joined the Class of 2026, bringing the total EMC Finishers to 99. Lisbon also generated new stories of shared triumphs. The circuit celebrated its first two finish pairs, from Sweden and Poland, who completed the challenge together and received their medals. Another notable achievement was by Austrian Gyulnar Degirmenci, who completed five EMC marathons in just 185 days. This demonstrated that even a time-unbounded challenge, such as the circuit, can inspire extraordinary determination.
Frankfurt: we close the 2026 class
The final chapter of this historic inaugural season was written in Frankfurt. Last Sunday, another 41 runners collected their EMC Finisher medals there, bringing the Class of 2026 to a total of 140. Once again, the occasion yielded inspiring stories and new milestones. At just 25 years old, the German Lea Looser became the youngest EMC Finisher to date. Venezuelan Ronald Lopez became the first finisher to represent South America. Additionally, Hungarian Ferenc Szalai became the third runner to complete the EMC challenge within a single calendar year by finishing all five marathons in 2026.
Collectively, these achievements demonstrate the genuinely international appeal of European Marathon Classics: a Europe-rooted challenge that runners from around the world have made their own.
“The first 140 EMC Finishers have achieved something truly special. But what fills me with the most pride isn’t just the medals or the numbers. It’s the incredible diversity of people and stories behind them. Different countries, different generations, different paths as runners, all united by a single passion. This is precisely why European Marathon Classics was created: to bring people together through running. And this is only the beginning,” stated Marek Tronina, CEO of European Marathon Classics.
The medal, measuring 12 centimeters, incorporates interchangeable magnetic coins representing the cities, which stand for the five Classics completed by each runner. Thus, every Finisher medal is unique and tells a personal story of five goals, different cities, and unforgettable experiences.
Eight marathons. Five goals. One extraordinary journey
European Marathon Classics brings together eight iconic marathons: Rome, Vienna, Madrid, London, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Lisbon, and Frankfurt. The series invites runners to complete any five of these to earn the prestigious EMC Finisher medal.
The medal, of 12 centimeters, features interchangeable magnetic coins with the cities, representing the five Classics completed by each runner. Thus, every Finisher medal is unique and tells a personal story of five goals, different cities, and unforgettable experiences.
Unlike other challenges that require completing the races within a fixed timeframe, EMC has no time limit. The circuit also recognizes historical results, so runners can add marathons completed in previous years. Participation in the EMC challenge is free; only the standard registrations for each marathon apply. With the inaugural Class of 2026 now complete, European Marathon Classics looks forward to welcoming many more runners to its growing international community.
Register for free and begin your EMC adventure at: www.europeanmarathonclassics.letsdothis.com
