A New Global Event for the Olympic Long-Distance Run
World Athletics has unveiled a major reform of its long-distance running calendar, introducing a standalone World Marathon Championships set to begin in 2030. This first-of-its-kind event is being considered for Athens, the historic birthplace of the marathon discipline. Until 2029, the marathon will remain part of the traditional World Athletics Championships, but from 2031 onward, the marathon and other road events will no longer feature in the main track and field world championships.
The new marathon championship will be held annually, with men's and women's competitions alternating each year. A separate World Road Running Championships for other distances will continue as an independent annual event. World Athletics has already initiated talks with Athens regarding hosting the inaugural championship in 2030.
A Return to Its Historic Roots
The marathon has a profound history stretching back over 2,500 years. The authentic Athens Marathon, which currently holds an Elite Label, aims to achieve Platinum Label status by 2029. Authorities in the Attica region and the Hellenic Athletics Federation are planning investments to modernize the original Olympic course.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe noted: 'We are delighted to explore the possibility of hosting a standalone World Marathon Championships in Athens – the home of this iconic event.'
This calendar reform promises fresh opportunities for athletes and marathon enthusiasts worldwide. The creation of a dedicated global championship highlights the marathon's unique status and commercial appeal within the sport.
Establishing a separate World Marathon Championships could significantly reshape the athletics landscape, allowing more athletes to focus specifically on the marathon as a distinct discipline. It may also stimulate infrastructure development for marathon running, particularly in historic cities like Athens.
Furthermore, the new competition format could attract greater international attention to marathon running, creating new opportunities for sponsorship and audience engagement. This move could boost the sport's popularity and encourage a new generation of athletes to participate in marathons globally.