Global governing body World Athletics has announced a major overhaul of marathon competition, confirming plans to introduce a dedicated World Marathon Championships starting in 2030.
According to the new structure, the marathon will remain part of the World Athletics Championships programme for the 2027 and 2029 editions before being spun off into a standalone global event from 2030.
The inaugural edition of the new championship is expected to be staged in Athens, widely regarded as the spiritual home of the marathon due to its historical connection to the ancient race.
As part of the restructuring, World Athletics also revealed that by 2031, all road running events including the marathon will be removed from the World Championships schedule entirely, signaling a clear shift toward specialized competitions.
The new World Marathon Championships will adopt an annual format, with men’s and women’s races held in alternating years, a move aimed at enhancing competitiveness, athlete recovery, and global engagement with the discipline.
The decision marks a significant evolution in the global athletics calendar, as World Athletics seeks to elevate the profile of marathon running while creating more focused and commercially viable championship events.
