Athens is expected to host the first edition of the new world marathon championships from 2030.
World Athletics has confirmed plans to remove the marathon from the World Athletics Championships program and replace it with its own world event from 2030.
The marathon will still feature in the World Championships in 2027 and 2029, but from 2031 it or any other road race distance will no longer be included.
Instead, a new marathon world championship will be introduced in 2030 and run annually, with men and women competing in alternate years at the same frequency as the current world championship marathon.
The individual World Athletics Championships will continue as an annual event.
As part of this new direction, World Athletics has confirmed the opening of formal exploratory discussions for Athens to host the first World Athletics Marathon Championships in 2030.
World Athletics and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), in collaboration with the Attica region, have also agreed on a strategic partnership to elevate the Athens Authentic Marathon to the highest level of global road racing.
The race has been awarded Elite Label status, recognizing its unique place in the history of the sport and its long-term potential on the international calendar. This partnership marks the start of an ambitious multi-year investment program designed to modernize the original Olympic course while preserving its 2,500-year heritage.
“We are delighted to explore the possibility of hosting the Marathon World Championships with Athens, the birthplace of this iconic discipline,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“Few events in sports carry the weight and resonance of a marathon. it is both the ultimate performance test and a celebration of mass participation. This is an opportunity to create a dedicated global celebration of marathon running in an environment that honors its heritage, creating a modern championship that reflects the scale and spirit of the global running community.”
“The marathon is one of the most universal sporting events, and Athens is its spiritual home. Exploring the possibility of a future independent World Marathon Championships here reflects our ambition to bring the sport’s greatest global showcase back to where it all began.
As part of its transition to a world-class event, the Athens Marathon, which this year will be held on November 8, is aligning its registration structure with the elite standards of World Athletics. This investment supports the expanded medical, security and participant services necessary for its new status.
