World Plogging Championship
The international race where athletes cover the most ground and clear the most litter. Plogging, born in Sweden, turned into a competitive sport.
From a Swedish idea to a world title
Plogging began in Sweden, where Erik Ahlström joined plocka upp (to pick up) with jogging, then took it worldwide. Runners, walkers and hikers in every corner of the world now go out with a bag and come back with a cleaner route.
The World Plogging Championship asks a simple question: who does it best? Athletes from many countries come together for one race that rewards speed and endurance, along with how much litter each runner removes from the land.
The championship is organized by the International Plogging Committee. Its members include AICA (the International Association for Environmental Communication), E.R.I.C.A., and Erik Ahlström with Plogga. Every edition so far has been hosted in Italy, in the Val Pellice, the Olympic Valleys of Turin, Genoa, and Val Gandino with Bergamo.
Six hours. Your route. Every piece counts.
Athletes race inside a large, marked-out field and choose their own routes. They must pass a set of checkpoints, which also serve as aid stations. When the clock runs out, each plogger's score is built from three things.
Distance
Every kilometre covered across the race field adds to the score.
Elevation
Climbing counts. The race follows trail-running principles over paths, mountain trails and paved roads.
Litter collected
Waste is weighed and sorted by type, then scored by the environmental benefit of removing it, expressed as CO₂ equivalent avoided.
Two roads to the finals
Professional and amateur runners alike can earn a place. Pick one path, because you can't qualify through both.
Qualifying races
Run a designated qualifying event. Selected trail races around the world include plogging in their program, and top ploggers earn a ticket to the finals. Race organizers can also apply to become a qualifying race.
See qualifying races →The Plogging Challenge
A global virtual leaderboard open to everyone. Plog anywhere and log each session with your distance, elevation and time, plus a photo of the litter you collected laid out neatly. Each outing earns points, and the leaders earn bibs.
Join the Plogging Challenge →Bring the championship closer to home
Host the finals
Regions can bid to host a championship. Organizers look for a wide race territory, ideally spanning several municipalities, venues for the opening and closing ceremonies, and local support and partnership to run the event.
Add plogging to your race
Running a trail race or road race? Become a qualifying event, so your participants can plog the course and compete for a place at the finals.
Start plogging today
You don't need a championship to make a difference. Grab gloves and a bag, head out on your usual route, and bring back what doesn't belong there.
Common questions
What is plogging?
Plogging combines jogging with picking up litter. The name joins the Swedish phrase "plocka upp" (to pick up) with jogging. It was started in Sweden by Erik Ahlström and is now practised by runners, walkers and hikers around the world.
What is the World Plogging Championship?
The World Plogging Championship is the international competition for plogging. Athletes from many countries race to cover distance and climb while collecting as much litter as they can. It is organized by the International Plogging Committee, and every edition so far has been hosted in Italy.
How is the World Plogging Championship scored?
Athletes have six hours inside a large, marked-out race field, choose their own routes and must pass set checkpoints. Scores combine distance covered, elevation gained and litter collected. The litter is weighed and sorted by type, then scored as CO₂ equivalent avoided.
How do I qualify for the World Plogging Championship?
There are two paths, and you choose one. You can place well at a designated qualifying race, or you can climb the Plogging Challenge, a global virtual leaderboard where you log plogging sessions with your distance, elevation, time and a photo of the litter you collected.
Can my city or region host the championship?
Yes. Regions can bid to host. Organizers look for a wide race territory, ideally spanning several municipalities, venues for the opening and closing ceremonies, and local support to run the event. Bids go to info@worldploggingchampionship.com.
Where can I find dates, venues and registration?
The official website, worldploggingchampionship.com, has the latest event details, rules, qualifying calendar and results.
Dates, venues and registration
The official championship website has the latest event details, rules, qualifying calendar and results. Questions about hosting or qualifying go to info@worldploggingchampionship.com.
plogging.org is a proud supporter of the World Plogging Championship and the global plogging community. The championship is organized and run by the International Plogging Committee.