World Athletics is set to introduce a dedicated World Marathon Championship starting in 2030 as part of a significant revamp of its long-distance running schedule, announced the governing body on Tuesday. While the marathon will still feature in the World Athletics Championships in 2027 (Beijing) and 2029, it will have its own championship event from 2030 onward. By 2031, the marathon will no longer be part of the athletics worlds.
The new World Marathon Championship will be conducted annually, with men and women taking turns to compete each year, aligning with the current cadence of the world championships marathon. Discussions are underway with Athens to host the inaugural marathon event, with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressing enthusiasm for the potential standalone competition in the birthplace of this iconic discipline.
Historically, world championships have not consistently attracted top talent in distance running, as elite athletes often prioritize prestigious races such as those in Boston, New York, London, Chicago, Tokyo, and Berlin. Nonetheless, these championships have seen remarkable moments, including the memorable races in Doha seven years ago, where extreme heat conditions led to a high number of women not finishing the race.
Notably, the men’s marathon at the Tokyo world championships last year concluded in a thrilling photo finish, with Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania narrowly clinching victory after a dramatic sprint. In the women’s event, Peres Jepchirchir secured the win by a mere 0.2 seconds. The annual World Athletics Road Running Championships will remain a distinct event under the new roadmap.