World Athletics has announced the creation of a separate World Marathon Championship, which will be held for the first time in 2030. This was reported in a press release from the organization.
The World Marathon Championships are part of a change to the sporting calendar. The first tournament is scheduled for 2030. The World Marathon Championships will become a separate sporting event and will no longer be part of the World Athletics Championships.
World Athletics notes that this decision should strengthen the marathon's status as a separate discipline and expand its global audience.
“Few sporting events have the weight and resonance of the marathon: it is both a test of the highest performance and a celebration of mass participation. This is an opportunity to create a special global celebration of marathon running, held in a setting that honors its legacy.”
“While shaping a modern championship that reflects the scale and spirit of the global running community,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
The World Marathon Championships are planned to be an annual event, with men and women competing alternately – one year the World Championships will be exclusively for men, and the next year for women.
Coe said the World Road Championships would remain a separate event and would not be changed. The decision is part of a broader strategy for road running, which includes separating the on- and off-track disciplines.
The first place to host the World Marathon Championships is expected to be Athens. According to World Athletics CEO John Ridgen, this city has a historical influence on the development of the marathon.
“The marathon is one of the most universal sporting events, and Athens is its spiritual home. Exploring the possibility of hosting a future standalone World Marathon Championships here reflects our commitment to returning the sport's greatest global showcase to where it all began. This roadmap ensures that the event meets the rigorous technical and operational standards required for the world's most prestigious stage,” said World Athletics CEO John Ridgen.