Champion children!

Relay Around the World Challenge announced

As May approaches, the global sporting community is gearing up for an exciting and impactful event that will celebrate the future stars of track and field.

World Athletics has officially launched its Relay Around the World Challenge, a dynamic global initiative designed to engage half a million children worldwide. This challenge, which will culminate on May 7, 2025, celebrated as Kids’ Athletics Day, is set to inspire the next generation of athletes and promote physical activity in schools, communities, and athletics clubs across the globe.

The timing of the challenge is especially meaningful, coinciding with the celebratory spirit of Child Month in May, a time dedicated to nurturing and empowering young people. The initiative’s focus on children aligns perfectly with the broader goal of fostering a lifelong love of movement and healthy habits from an early age. It aims to create a world where fitness and athletics become second nature to future generations, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of sports.

This year’s theme draws inspiration from the upcoming World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25, connecting the world’s elite athletes with young, budding participants in a celebration of teamwork, fitness, and fun. With a ceremonial launch on April 6 in Monaco, the challenge officially kicked off with HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco passing the first baton to signal the start of this global relay event. Timed to coincide with the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the launch was attended by prominent figures from the sports world, further highlighting the significance of the movement.

From April to May, thousands of relay events will take place across continents, involving children of all ages and backgrounds. Whether in urban centres, rural communities, or athletic clubs, each relay represents more than just a race; it’s a celebration of global unity, teamwork, and the power of sport to inspire positive change. The global relay will culminate at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 in China, where participants from around the world will come together in a final act of collective movement.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasised the importance of this initiative, calling it a significant step toward fostering a more active and inspired younger generation. “We are thrilled to launch the Relay Around the World Challenge with the aim of creating the world’s largest kids’ relay in celebration of Kids’ Athletics Day,” Coe stated. “At World Athletics, we believe in the power of athletics to build a fitter, healthier world—starting with our children.”

In an effort to amplify participation and engagement, World Athletics has unveiled a dedicated web app, which serves as a central hub for relay tracking, event registration, and social media engagement. Schools, organisations, and individuals can easily sign up, share photos, and track their contribution to the global relay, using the hashtags #KidsAthleticsDay and #RelayAroundtheWorld to join the online conversation.

Adding an element of creativity to the challenge, World Athletics and official equipment supplier Mondo have launched a global competition for children to design a custom Kids’ Athletics relay baton. The winning design will be turned into a real competition-grade baton, offering a unique opportunity for young participants to leave their mark on the event.

World Athletics has also enlisted some high-profile ambassadors to champion the cause. Among them is 2024 World Athlete of the Year and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, who helped launch the initiative in Botswana, bringing together over 1,000 schoolchildren for a memorable event that sparked excitement and enthusiasm for the challenge.

As the world readies itself for Kids’ Athletics Day on May 7, the relay has already begun. So, whether running around your local track or cheering from the sidelines, be part of this global movement and help make history!