Joggling is a competitive sport that combines juggling with jogging. People who joggle are called jogglers.Beck, S. (2012, October 18). "Joggling the Marathon: 3 Beanbags and 26.2 Miles". The New York Times. Retrieved from September 11, 2001.
The most common objects used in joggling are juggling balls, or sometimes juggling clubs, but any set of three or more objects can be used. In competitions or long term events, however, most jogglers prefer to use palm-size beanbags stuffed with birdseed because they are light enough for long distances but heavy enough to withstand winds. The juggling is usually done in a three-ball cascade pattern, which is efficient and uses the least energy. Jogglers say that the arm motions of juggling with three objects feels natural with the action and pace of jogging.
Rules The rules that define joggling in competitions and races are:
A juggling pattern must be maintained while running. If an object is dropped, the joggler must return to the point they dropped and continue.
Competition Jogglers compete in races around the world over a range of distances, from their local parkrun events to large city marathons.
The World Joggling Championships are held each year as one of the events of the International Jugglers' Association juggling festival, where results are recorded and medals awarded. Anyone can compete in the World Joggling Championships, but competitors need to be able to juggle three balls proficiently. All registrants must pay an entry fee, which covers any to all of the events entered for one juggler, and complete and sign a liability waiver. Some events require meeting a qualifying standard (e.g. in a former meet, competitors in the 400 meter 5-ball event need to have completed the 100 meter 5-ball event in less than 90 secondsInternational Jugglers' Association. (n.d.). Originally retrieved December 6, 2012.). The meet schedule for the World Joggling Championships most commonly includes races ranging from 100 meters to 1600 meters, with the occasional novel-yet-standardized distance, prop count, or obstacle. Frequently, world record attempts will be held at these meets (e.g. 800m, 5K, and 10K record attempts in the last decade), as well as relay races in which teammates pass one ball to the next relay runner, who holds two in the handoff zone. The schedule also often includes 4-ball, 5-ball, and 7-ball events, which require much greater technical juggling skills as opposed to flat-out speed. Competitions have been virtual through the COVID-19 pandemic, with the intent of incorporating both virtual and in-person event blocks when the health risk diminishes.
The first championships were held in 1980 at the IJA juggling festival in Fargo, North Dakota. They were organized by Bill Giduz, an avid joggler who edited the IJA Newsletter at the time in an attempt to interest others in the activity. Two races were held on that occasion—a 100-yard race across a football field that was won by Brad Heffler in 13.4 seconds, and a one-mile run on an indoor track that was won by Canadian comic entertainer Michel Lauzière, who was late to the start line and ran his race barefoot.
2026 IJA World Joggling Championships The Virtual Championships concluded on July 17, 2026, and the in-person championships took place at the Turnstone Olympic & Paralympic Facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana on July 30, 2026 and a long-distance event on August 1.
+ Gold Medalists and Top Performances: IJA World Joggling Championships 2026 Event Athlete(s) Time Comments 3-ball 1000 meters 3 B17 Connor Levitt 4:34.55 #4 Aaron Heilig [S], Caleb Black [B] 3-ball 1000 meters 3 MM Sterling Franklin 3:43.44 #3 #8 Jack Hirschowitz [S], Tim Heilig [B] 3-ball 1000 meters 3 MO Sam Dean 2:50.67 #1 #1 New IJA World Record; Erik Breuer [S], Mike Moore [B] 3-ball 1000 meters 3 WO Ingrid Vukusic 4:03.29 #2 Meggie Exner [S], Marla Edgecomb [B] 3-ball 200 meters 3 B17 Connor Levitt 36.47 Aaron Heilig [S], Arnav Rathi [B] 3-ball 200 meters 3 MM Sterling Franklin 31.40 #2 Tim Heilig [S], Michael Black [B] 3-ball 200 meters 3 MO Sam Dean 29.31 #8 #10 Mark Fiore [S], Mike Moore [B] 3-ball 200 meters 3 WM Jill Edgecomb 1:29.79 #7 3-ball 200 meters 3 WO Ingrid Vukusic 37.06 #4 Marla Edgecomb [S], Zoe Prawda [B] 3-ball 60 meters 3 B17 Connor Levitt 9.44 #2 #9 Caleb Black [S], Aaron Heilig [B] 3-ball 60 meters 3 MM Sterling Franklin 9.48 #2 #9 Tim Heilig [S], Bill Feay [B] 3-ball 60 meters 3 MO Mark Fiore 8.84 #3 #4 Kanoa Lindiwe [S], Mike Moore [B] 3-ball 60 meters 3 WM Jill Edgecomb 24.36 #6 3-ball 60 meters 3 WO Ingrid Vukusic 10.61 #2 Marla Edgecomb [S], Misha Hlasek [B] 4-ball 800 meters 4 B17 Arnav Rathi 4:11.31 #1 #5 New Division Record; Connor Levitt [S], Aaron Heilig [B] 4-ball 800 meters 4 MM Sterling Franklin 4:05.09 #1 #4 New Division Record; Tim Heilig [S] 4-ball 800 meters 4 MO Mark Fiore 3:14.56 #1 #1 New IJA World Record; Sam Dean [S], Mike Moore [B] 4-ball 800 meters 4 WM Jill Edgecomb 15:14.93 #1 New Division Record 4-ball 800 meters 4 WO Ingrid Vukusic 5:27.49 #1 #8 New Division Record; Marla Edgecomb [S], Zoe Prawda [B] 5-ball 60 meters 5 B17 Connor Levitt 27.51 #5 Aaron Heilig [S], Caleb Black [B] 5-ball 60 meters 5 MM Sterling Franklin 31.80 #5 Tim Heilig [S], Michael Black [B] 5-ball 60 meters 5 MO Mark Fiore 10.53 #2 #2 Mike Moore [S], Kanoa Lindiwe [B] 5-ball 60 meters 5 WM Jill Edgecomb 2:14.99 #3 5-ball 60 meters 5 WO Zoe Prawda 1:56.22 #5 7-ball 60 meters 7 B17 Connor Levitt 1:35.71 #3 #5 Aaron Heilig [S], Arnav Rathi [B] 7-ball 60 meters 7 MM Sterling Franklin 11:16.24 #1 #8 New Division Record 7-ball 60 meters 7 MO Mike Moore 57.67 #2 #4 Mark Fiore [S] Stacker Relay (3-ball, 4-ball, 5-ball, and 5-ball - 800 meters) B17 Boys 13-17 Team (Connor Levitt, Aaron Heilig, Caleb Black, Arnav Rathi) 4:15.14 #1 #2 New Division Record Stacker Relay (3-ball, 4-ball, 5-ball, and 5-ball - 800 meters) MM Men's Masters Team (Sterling Franklin, Erik Breuer, Michael Black, Kanoa Lindiwe) 8:17.52 #1 #3 New Division Record Stacker Relay (3-ball, 4-ball, 5-ball, and 5-ball - 800 meters) MO Men's Open Team (Mark Fiore, Mike Moore, Kanoa Lindiwe, Sam Dean) 3:17.11 #1 #1 New IJA World Record Stacker Relay (3-ball, 4-ball, 4-ball, and 5-ball - 800 meters) WO Women's Open Team (Ingrid Vukusic, Zoe Prawda, Misha Hlasek, Savanna Dean) 10:44.80 #1 #4 New Division Record
+ Gold Medalists and Top Performances: IJA Virtual World Joggling Championships 2026 Event Athlete(s) Time Comments 3-ball 10000 meters 3 MM Daniel Raum 45:51.566 #2 #4 3-ball 10000 meters 3 MO Samuel Dean 37:29.50 #2 #2 Sprint Combo (3-ball + 4-ball 100 meters) 3 MM Sterling Franklin 29.92 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record; Christoph Mitasch [S], Daniel Raum [B] Sprint Combo (3-ball + 4-ball 100 meters) 3 MO Scott Jenkins 30.44 #1 #2 Inaugural Division Record; Samuel Dean [S], Craig Muhlenkamp [B] 3-ball 400 meters 3 MM Sterling Franklin 1:05.92 #2 Daniel Raum [S], Christoph Mitasch [B] 3-ball 400 meters 3 MO Scott Jenkins 1:01.60 #5 #7 Samuel Dean [S], Andy Widmann [B] 3-ball 400 meters 3 WO Kaylyn Clerc 4:17.20 3-ball 5000 meters 3 MM Christoph Mitasch 20:29.07 #3 Daniel Raum [S] 3-ball Mile 3 MM Daniel Raum 6:03.83 #2 Christoph Mitasch [S] 3-ball Mile 3 MO Samuel Dean 5:25.60 #9 #10 Craig Muhlenkamp [S] 3-ball Mile Backwards 3 MM Daniel Raum 12:40.966 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record 4-ball Mile 4 MM Sterling Franklin 8:29.72 #1 #2 Inaugural Division Record; Christoph Mitasch [S] 4-ball Mile 4 MO Samuel Dean 7:22.67 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record Skill Combo (5-ball + 6-ball + 7-ball 100 meters) 5 MM Sterling Franklin 13:37.66 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record 5-ball 400 meters 5 MM Sterling Franklin 5:10.26 #4 5-ball 400 meters 5 MO Scott Jenkins 2:21.77 #6 #8 5-ball Mile 5 MM Sterling Franklin 24:17.10 #1 #3 New Division Record 7-ball 100 meters 7 MM Chris Fowler 49.70 #1 #2 New Division Record
+ Exhibition Performances: IJA Virtual World Joggling Championships 2026 Event Athlete(s) Time Comments 3-ball 400 meters Backwards 3 MM Daniel Raum 2:13.300 #2 #2 3-Shot Put (16 lb) 60 meters 3 MM Chris Fowler 15.92 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record 3-Shot Put (5 kg) 100 meters 3 MM Chris Fowler 19.98 #2 #2
+ Gold Medalists and Top Performances: IJA World Joggling Championships Distance Event 2026 Event Athlete(s) Time Comments 3-ball 3 Mile 3 B17 Connor Levitt 28:23.11 #1 #5 New Division Record 3-ball 3 Mile 3 M 40-49 Sterling Franklin 20:43.29 #1 #2 New Division Record 3-ball 3 Mile 3 M 50-59 Nick Frazier 44:23.42 #2 #8 3-ball 3 Mile 3 M 20-29 Erik Breuer 18:45.91 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record 3-ball 3 Mile 3 WNB 30-39 Ingrid Vukusic 25:06.65 #1 #3 New Division Record 3-ball 3 Mile 3 WNB 30-39 Marla Edgecomb 28:04.84 #2 #4 3-ball 3 Mile 3 WNB 20-29 Nora Phillips 34:51.42 #3 #6 Lacy Gragg [S] 3-ball 5 Mile 3 B17 Aaron Heilig 43:04.55 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record 3-ball 5 Mile 3 M 50-59 Barak Hirschowitz 44:25.41 #1 #2 New Division Record 3-ball 7 Mile 3 M 20-29 Sam Dean 39:19.81 #1 #1 Inaugural IJA World Record 3-ball 7 Mile 3 WNB 30-39 Meggie Exner 1:02:58.80 #1 #2 New Division Record
Divisions: B12 - Boys 12-and-Under, G12 - Girls 12-and-Under, B17 - Boys 13-to-17, G17 - Girls 13-to-17, MO - Men's Open, WO - Women's Open, MM - Men's Masters, WM - Women's Masters
2025 IJA World Joggling Championships Part of the International Jugglers' Association 78th Annual Festival - Location: Evansville, IN
Deadlines, dates, and locations - Virtual: 7/15, 5K/10K/15K Road Race: 7/16 @ Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage,https://festival.juggle.org/events/event/joggling-5k-10k-race/ Track Meet: 7/19 @ Reitz Memorial High Schoolhttps://festival.juggle.org/events/event/ija-world-joggling-championships/
Note: The first annual European Joggling Championships were also held this year as part of EJC 2025 in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
+ Gold medalists and top performances: IJA Virtual World Joggling Championships 2025 Event Athlete(s) Time Comments 3-ball 1500 meters 3 MM Daniel Raum 5:35.00 #1 #7 Giduz 1500; New Division Record; Christoph Mitasch [S] 3-ball 1500 meters 3 MO Samuel Dean 4:46.03 #2 #2 Craig Muhlenkamp [S] 3-ball 200 meters 3 MM Daniel Raum 35.03 #8 Thijs Niesten [S] 3-ball 200 meters 3 MO Andrew Widmann 34.07 Craig Muhlenkamp [S] 3-ball 200 meters backwards 3 MM Daniel Raum 56.76 #1 #1 New IJA World Record 3-ball 60 meters 3 MM Sterling Franklin 8.68 #1 #2 New Division Record 3-ball 60 meters 3 MO Craig Muhlenkamp 9.33 #4 #5 3-ball 60 meters backwards 3 MM Daniel Raum 16.23 #1 #1 New IJA World Record 3-ball 800 meters 3 MM Daniel Raum 2:45.33 #6 Thijs Niesten [S] 3-ball 800 meters 3 MO Samuel Dean 2:18.20 #3 #3 Craig Muhlenkamp [S], Andrew Widmann [B] 3-ball 800 meters backwards 3 MM Daniel Raum 4:33.53 #1 #1 New IJA World Record 3-ball Half Marathon 3 MM Daniel Raum 1:36:00.60 #1 #2 New Division Record; Christoph Mitasch [S], Sterling Franklin [B] 3-ball Half Marathon 3 MO Samuel Dean 1:20:42.06 #1 #1 New IJA World Record; Craig Muhlenkamp [S] 3-Baseball Bat 100 meters 3 MM Chris Fowler 19.00 #1 #1 New IJA World Record 4-ball 200 meters 4 MM Sterling Franklin 33.80 #2 #2 4-ball 60 meters 4 MM Sterling Franklin 9.64 #1 #2 New Division Record 5-ball 60 meters 5 MM Sterling Franklin 25.78 #3 6-ball 60 meters 6 MM Sterling Franklin 57.46 #1 #1 New IJA World Record
+ Gold medalists and top performances: IJA World Joggling Championships Road Race 2025 Event Athlete(s) Time Comments 3-ball 10000 meters 3 B 13-19 Easton Smith 43:41.00 #1 #1 New IJA Road Race Record 3-ball 10000 meters 3 M 40-49 Jeff Lutkus 1:02:58.00 #1 #3 New Division Record 3-ball 10000 meters 3 M 30-39 Christian Kloc 58:11.00 #1 #2 New Division Record 3-ball 15000 meters 3 M 20-29 Thomas Whitaker 1:32:51.00 #1 #3 New Division Record 3-ball 15000 meters 3 W 40-49 Katie Burgess 1:28:05.00 #1 #1 New IJA Road Race Record