Get ready for a new pinnacle event in distance running. World Athletics has announced the creation of a standalone World Marathon Championships, set to launch in 2030, marking a significant evolution for the sport's most iconic race.
While the marathon will remain part of the traditional World Athletics Championships in 2027 and 2029, it will transition to its own dedicated global championship starting in 2030. From 2031 onward, the marathon and other road running distances will no longer be contested at the main World Championships.
The new World Marathon Championships will be an annual event, featuring a format familiar to fans: men and women will race in alternate years, mirroring the current schedule for the marathon at the world championships. This new event will exist alongside the separate, annual World Athletics Road Running Championships.
In a move rich with symbolism, Athens has emerged as the preferred host for the inaugural 2030 event. World Athletics is in discussions with the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) and the Region of Attica to bring the championship to the marathon's historic birthplace.
This partnership extends beyond the championship itself. The legendary Athens Marathon The Authentic has been awarded Elite Label status, cementing its place at the top tier of global road racing. This kicks off a multi-year investment program aimed at modernizing the original Olympic course while meticulously preserving its 2,500-year heritage.
"We are delighted to be exploring the possibility of a standalone World Marathon Championships with Athens – the place where this iconic discipline was born," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. He emphasized the unique nature of the event, calling it "both a test of the very highest performance and a celebration of mass participation."
This initiative promises to create a dedicated global festival for marathon running. It’s an opportunity to honor the race's profound history while building a modern championship that captures the immense scale and passionate spirit of the worldwide running community.