Distance Running Takes the Spotlight at the World Indoor Championships in China

After years of delays and anticipation, the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships will finally unfold in Nanjing, China, from March 21 to 23. While sprints and field events always generate buzz, this edition promises to be a landmark for distance running—with some of the world’s best athletes converging to test themselves against the clock, the field, and history.

At the center of it all is Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway’s Olympic gold medalist and world champion, who will attempt an ambitious and rare double in the 1500 meters and 3000 meters. If successful, he will join Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie, who last accomplished the feat in 1999. Ingebrigtsen’s smooth stride, iron pacing, and fierce final kick have made him one of the most dominant middle-distance runners of the past decade. But with Ethiopian and Kenyan contenders lining up with fast times and bold strategies, neither race will be a solo effort.

The 3000 meters is shaping up as one of the most exciting events of the meet. Alongside Ingebrigtsen, Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega—Olympic 10,000m champion—and Kenya’s Jacob Kropbring serious range and championship pedigree. With indoor tracks amplifying the tactical element and crowd energy, fans can expect a thrilling mix of surges, positioning, and all-out finishing kicks in the final laps.

In the 800 meters, the men’s race is wide open. With no clear dominant figure, the door is open for rising stars from Spain, Algeria, and the United States to make a breakthrough. Indoors, the 800 is a physical, high-stakes affair, with tight turns and strategic jostling—where positioning is just as important as speed. The women’s 800 features a mix of veterans and rising talent, with sub-2:00 runners all seeking to time their peak perfectly for Nanjing.

The women’s 1500 meters could become a showcase for a new era of stars. While no single name stands above the rest going in, there are multiple women capable of taking the crown, including contenders from Great Britain, Ethiopia, and Australia. As with the men’s race, the tight indoor track places a premium on tactical patience and decisive moves.

Also featured is the distance medley relay, a relatively new but fan-favorite event that brings a unique blend of speed and endurance. Countries with depth across the 400, 800, 1200, and 1600-meter legs will have the advantage, and the energy in the building is expected to be electric when teams hand off for the final mile leg.

Nanjing’s fast indoor surface and tightly packed arena create the perfect environment for records, surprises, and heroic runs. After years of waiting, the distance events at these World Indoor Championships promise to be the heart of the competition—where strategy, stamina, and raw speed will collide on the world stage.

posted Thursday March 20th
by Boris Baron