Welcome

The Midnight Sun Marathon The Foundation welcomes all AIMS members to the 25th World Congress of AIMS June 18–20, 2026.

The congress will take place in Tromsø, Norway, on the same weekend as the Midnight Sun Marathon.

The Congress venue is Scandic Ishavshotel, just a 2 minute walk to the race start.

Participation

Each member race can register 2 delegates for the Congress without any fee. If you have more than 2 delegates, there is a fee of $350 for each person.

All delegates must pay for their own accommodation. The organizer will book your rooms, so no need to contact the hotels directly.

About Tromsø

Located at 69°N, 350 km north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø sits on a small island surrounded by majestic mountains and deep fjords. With a population of about 80,000, it may seem small by global standards, but it is one of the most populated cities within the Arctic region.

Being inside the Arctic Circle, Tromsø offers some of the world's most spectacular natural phenomena. In winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky, and in summer, the Midnight Sun creates a truly unique atmosphere.
From May 21 to July 22, the sun never sets – offering 24-hour daylight.

Learn more about Tromsø and Northern Norway:

• Visit Tromsø
• Visit Northern Norway

The Midnight Sun Marathon

Since its inception in 1990, the Midnight Sun Marathon has become one of the world's most spectacular running events. The marathon starts at 8:30 PM, and most participants cross the finish line after midnight — wearing sunglasses.

The event offers four distances: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K.
In 2025, more than 10,000 runners registered for the event.

Q&A

How do I get there?

Tromsø may feel remote, but getting here is straightforward with a bit of planning. The city has an international airport with direct flights to major cities in Northern Europe. We recommend flying via Copenhagen or Oslo. If you need assistance with travel planning, please feel free to contact us.

How long is the transfer from the airport to the hotel?

The transfer from Tromsø Airport to the hotel takes about 15 minutes by bus or taxi. The organizer will arrange airport transfers for all congress participants.

Where do I stay?

The congress will be held at Scandic Ishavshotel, and most participants will be accommodated there. You can also choose to stay at the brand new hotel The dock 69°39 by Scandic. Please fill out the registration form to book the hotel of your choice.

Price:

• Scandic Ishavshotel: $180/ $200 (single/double)
• The Dock 69°39: $290/ $320

Visa

Norway is part of the Schengen Area, and most nationalities follow the same visa rules for Norway as for other Schengen countries.

Find visa information at the UDI website .
If you are planning to attend, please contact the Midnight Sun Marathon Foundation to receive a personal invitation letter for your visa application.

What's the weather like?

Daytime temperatures typically range between 14–20°C (57–68°F). While the sun remains above the horizon all night, temperatures can drop in the late hours. We will provide all participants with detailed guidance on how to dress for an Arctic summer.

Program

Wednesday, 17 June 

13:00 – 21:00 / Information and registration for delegates 

19:00 – 23:00 / Social programme  

Thursday, 18 June 2026 

09:00 – 12:00 / Morning session

Welcome words by AIMS President, Host City Representative, and Local Organizing Committee 

Presentation #1: Midnight Sun Marathon – Inspiring the World from the Arctic 

The host race shares how unique natural conditions (midnight sun, northern lights, polar climate) can attract global runners and transform a city into a sports tourism destination.

Presentation #2: The Future of Running Tourism Building Cities through Sport.

Speaker: Franscoise Nehme, Head of Operations, Beirut Marathon (LBN)

Exploring how marathons are catalysts for tourism, cultural exchange, and city branding in both large capitals and smaller destinations like Tromsø.

Bio:
Francoise Jean Nehme is the Head of Operations at the Beirut Marathon Association, where she plays a key role in the planning and execution of one of Lebanon's most prominent sporting events since 2016. With an extensive experience in event management of more than 20yrs and logistics, she oversees the operational delivery of large-scale races, ensuring seamless coordination across teams, partners, and thousands of participants.

Through her work, Francoise contributes to advancing the marathon's mission of promoting unity, resilience, and community engagement in Lebanon, aligning with the association's broader impact on society through sports initiatives and international participation.

Francoise has 13 years of experience in B2B Trade Shows Organization and worked in the industry in the MENA region and Europe.

Presentation #3: Tech at the Edge – Data, AI and the New Era of Race Organization

Speaker: Kristiina Tuisk and Jarmo Tuisk, experts in developing and implementing AI technologies

How AI and data-driven tools are already transforming race organization in practice – from participant communication and marketing to logistics and decision-making. This session shares practical examples and accessible solutions that race organizers of all sizes can start using today.

Bio:
Jarmo Tuisk is a recognized expert in AI whose diverse career spans extensive international experience in product management and strategic planning expertise.

Together with Kristiina, Jarmo has been leading the artificial intelligence development program at EBS Executive Education since spring 2023. He has also delivered AI training to more than 2,000 people.

Special Address: World Athletics 

An update from World Athletics on global running development, partnerships, and alignment with AIMS.

13:00 – 16:30 / Afternoon session 

Presentation #4: Our Way to Sustainable Running

Speaker: Mats Hedenström, CEO & Managing Director, Marathon Group, adidas Stockholm Marathon (SWE)

Examining climate responsibility in the running industry, with Arctic-specific insights on how fragile ecosystems can guide sustainable practices.

Bio :
Mats Hedenström, born 1969, is since July 2025 CEO of Marathongruppen in Stockholm, Sweden.

Mats was born and grew up in Stockholm, Sweden. After elementary school and high school graduation he did his military service at the ranger regiment K4 in Arvidsjaur. He has been studying law and economics at the University of Stockholm.

Mats has over the years been very involved in politics and society development and was for 15 years working for the Moderate party in different roles, among them as Head of the party office for the Moderate party in Gothenburg and political adviser to the Mayor of Stockholm.

In recent years Mats Hedenström has been working as Head of Regional Growth Department at the County Administrative Board in Stockholm and Head of Policy at the Swedish Trade Federation.

Mats has also been president of the AIK Icehockey Club and member of the board of Marathongruppen. Since April 2026 Mats is also a member of the board of the Royal Swedish Opera.

Annual AIMS Reports:

• Reflecting on Achievements and Looking Ahead 
• Nomination Presentations for Board Election 
• Proposals for Hosting the 26th World Congress of AIMS 
• Proposed Amendments to the Articles of Association 

19:30 / Welcome Dinner 

22:00 / Midnight Sun Experience  

Friday, 19 June 2026 

09:00 – 12:00 / Morning session

Presentation #5: The Business of Endurance – Attracting and Retaining Sponsorship in a Competitive World 

Speaker: George Hutchins, Head of Sponsorships of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
This session explores how marathons can position themselves as powerful marketing platforms for brands. From digital storytelling to sustainability partnerships, discover what sponsors are truly looking for in 2026 and how events can deliver long-term value.

Bio :
George leads the UK & Ireland sponsorship strategy for TCS, managing partnerships across sport, technology, mass-participation events and activates the Jaguar TCS Racing partnership in London.

He has managed properties such as TCS Lidingöloppet, TCS Amsterdam Marathon, Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, KLM Open, advised on the TCS Sydney Marathon & the TCS London Marathon. He focuses on building impactful, purpose-driven programs that elevate the TCS brand, strengthen community engagement, and showcase the company's innovation through AI.

Presentation #6: AIMS Sponsors Presentations

Panel Discussions (choose 2): 

• The Changing Landscape of Sponsorship – What Brands Expect in 2026 and Beyond
• Running in the Digital Age – Social Media, Communities, and the Next Generation of Runners
• The Next Generation of Runners – Inspiring Youth Participation Worldwide
• Climate and Culture – Balancing Global Growth with Local Identity

13:00 – 16:30 / Afternoon session 

Interactive Session

An open-floor exchange where delegates co-create visions for AIMS' role in uniting global running communities under shared values ​​of inclusion, sustainability, and growth.

Presentation #7: The 5 Golden Principles of a Race Start – Crowd Flow & Crowd Management

Speaker: Marcel Altenburg, Start Right (UK)

Start Right (UK) An engaging session on how crowd flow impacts both safety and runner experience. Marcel shares five universal principles that apply to races of any size, offering practical, science-based takeaways for organizers worldwide.

Bio:
Marcel teaches the MSc Crowd Safety and Risk Analysis, at the world's leading university in Crowd Science. Apart from research, he also provides crowd science solutions regarding safety, risk and efficiency for projects around the globe.

Marcel has extensive experience in command and control as well as critical incident management, from a background in events and the military. His expertise includes the dynamics of crowd movements and crowd behavior in complex environments with the goals of safety and efficiency. He is independent crowd safety advisor to World Marathon Majors, world leading sport events, government agencies and police, as well as the German Football Association.

A regular part of his work is the analysis of safe environments for crowds and spectators, inside and outside of stadiums. He supported the crowd safety plans at all venues of the EURO2024 as well as the German Venue at EURO2020. He was the lead crowd safety advisor to the government in the days after Queen Elizabeth II died.

Photo of congress delegates 

19:00 / Dinner 

Saturday, 20 June 2026 

08:00 – 11:30 / Morning session 

• Host City Voting 
• Board Election Voting 
• Closing Ceremony – Final remarks and official closing of the Congress 
• Post Congress AIMS Board Meeting 

Midnight Sun Marathon 

Sunday, 21 June 2026 

13:00 / Award Ceremony Midnight Sun Marathon 

Departure of delegates