简体中文
EnglishWhat is IAU - International Association of Ultrarunners?
Updated
The IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners) is the international governing body for ultradistance running, and iau-ultramarathon.org is its official website. Its stated main objective is to promote and develop long-distance running. The site organizes its content around the sport's main ultradistance categories — Trail, 24 H, 50 K and 100 K — and publishes news about championships and their host events.
What the organization does
As a governing body, the IAU's role centers on the promotion and development of ultradistance running rather than on selling products or services. The website reflects this: it is a reference point for the sport's structure, its race formats, and announcements about major championships.
Race categories covered
The site's navigation groups the sport into four main areas:
| Category | What it refers to |
|---|---|
| Trail | Ultradistance running on trail terrain |
| 24 H | 24-hour timed running |
| 50 K | 50-kilometer ultradistance races |
| 100 K | 100-kilometer ultradistance races |
These categories are the practical way to find relevant information on the site: if you are interested in a specific format, start from the matching section rather than browsing general news.
How the site is useful in practice
The homepage carries championship announcements, which is where the IAU's governing role becomes concrete. A current example is the headline "Croatia to Host the 2027 IAU 100 km European Championships" (dated 8 October 2026). For an athlete, coach, or event organizer, this kind of notice is the primary way to learn where and when an IAU championship will take place.
For example, if you are planning a season around a 100 K championship, the site is the place to confirm the host country and event year before making travel or qualification plans. If your interest is in 24-hour or trail running, the corresponding sections are the starting point for format-specific information.
What to keep in mind
The site is an informational and governing-body resource, not a registration or retail platform. Details such as entry requirements, qualification standards, or event-specific procedures are not summarized on the homepage, so treat championship announcements as pointers and follow up through the official channels the IAU provides for each event.