Coverage by Gary, Endurance Biz
The inaugural edition of the International Running Expo (IRX) took place on November 4–5, 2026, at the RAI Amsterdam expo venue. Sponsored by SCOTT Sports, the show organiser, Raccoon Media Group, reported a ‘resounding success’ of the two-day gathering in the Netherlands.
Positioning itself as Europe’s first-ever trade-only expo for running professionals, IRX drew visitors for networking, brand showcasing, and industry discussions.
The debut of IRX this month comes on the heels of a major strategic move for its organisers. Raccoon Media Group recently announced a partnership with Messe München to collaborate on the world’s largest sports trade event, ISPO
This collaboration includes a significant €3 million investment programme aimed at strengthening the commercial foundation of ISPO.
The synergy with ISPO is expected to benefit IRX, as both The International Running Expo and ISPO will now take place concurrently next year, running in November 2026 at RAI Amsterdam. This co-location will aim to solidify both shows as essential trade events for the running, outdoor, and winter sports sectors moving forward.
At this year’s IRX, the agenda blended active sessions with business discussions. Industry leaders used the platform to explore market trends, sustainability efforts, and the future of both footwear and retail technology.
Day one featured ultrarunning legends Dean Karnazes and Scott Jurek in fireside chats, alongside content creator Yana Strese. Panel sessions delved into topics such as sustainability and the future landscape of the sport.
The content focus was complemented by experiential activities, including breathwork workshops, a CEP morning run, and an evening ‘Cool Down Party’ sponsored by ISPO.
Day two of IRX 2025 maintained the momentum with an interview featuring Intersport Chief Executive Officer Tom Foley, who discussed the future of sports retail with Runner’s World Editor Urs Webber. Further highlights included a discussion with SCOTT athlete and Golden Trail Series 2025 Champion Mădălina Florea, and sessions focused on marketing, AI, and practical lessons from race directors. One session addressed the currently untapped commercial potential of midlife women in sport.
Shirry Liram, Event Director of IRX, said “I’m thrilled with the success of this event and
would like to thank all involved, the speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and press; plus the retailers, industry professionals, athletes and influencers who attended the expo from all over the world.
“It is especially rewarding to see the culmination of hard work deliver two days of invaluable conversations, connections, collaborations and fun. The immediate feedback from all attendees has been excellent.”