A standalone Marathon World Championship set for 2030
The marathon is about to enter a new era. World Athletics has officially announced the creation of World Championships entirely dedicated to the sport’s most iconic distance, starting in 2030. A major decision that will also mark a turning point: from 2031 onward, the marathon will disappear from the traditional World Athletics Championships. In the background, Athens is already emerging as the ideal stage to launch this new chapter—where ancient heritage meets modern ambition.
Some announcements come and go. Others leave a mark. This one clearly belongs to the latter. Earlier this week, the global governing body set out to reshape the future of elite marathon running. Nothing less. From 2030, the marathon will have its own World Championships—a dedicated stage, a different rhythm, and a distinct identity. And beneath it all, a clear break: from 2031, road races will no longer feature in the main World Athletics Championships. One chapter closes. Another begins—boldly.
World Athletics has outlined a landmark strategic roadmap for the future of distance running with the creation of a World Athletics Marathon Championships from 2030.
The marathon stays in the World Championships for 2027 & 2029, but from 2031 onward, no road running races will… pic.twitter.com/AoO806TCUN
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 7, 2026
| Athens: back to the roots
To open this new era, it is hard to imagine a more symbolic setting than Athens. The Greek capital—the spiritual birthplace of the marathon—is the frontrunner to host the inaugural edition in 2030. The finish line is expected to be set inside the historic Panathenaic Stadium, a marble arena over two millennia old that also staged the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. A full-circle moment, both literally and figuratively.
In this context, the legendary figure of Pheidippides inevitably comes to mind. According to myth, he ran from Marathon to Athens to announce a military victory before collapsing. A founding story that still echoes in every stride, every finishing straight, every finish line.
| The end of a long-standing partnership
Since the first World Championships in 1983, the marathon has been a core part of athletics’ global showcase. A constant presence, almost taken for granted. Yet as road running has surged in popularity worldwide, the split felt increasingly inevitable. There are still two shared appointments left: 2027 in Beijing, and 2029 in a yet-to-be-announced host city. Two final appearances before the leap.
After that, a new format will take over: an annual championship alternating between men and women. Each category will therefore compete for a world title every two years—a structure already familiar within athletics. The goal is clear: more visibility, greater consistency, and more space for a discipline that has truly gone global.
| A discipline ready to stand on its own
In reality, the marathon has never needed track and field to exist. Major races, big-city marathons, and mass-participation events already tell a broader, more popular story. Sebastian Coe sees it clearly. The aim, he explains, is “to create a global celebration dedicated to the marathon, in a setting that honors its heritage while shaping a modern championship.” A way to finally align elite competition with the passion of the wider running community.
The move comes after some turbulence in road running’s global structure. The World Road Running Championships, launched in 2023, have already faced challenges, including the cancellation of the 2025 edition. But the idea remains—and this could be the moment to properly structure a discipline that extends far beyond the track.
From a sporting perspective, the marathon has already built its own mythology at the World Championships. In 2022 in Eugene, Tamirat Tola and Gotytom Gebreslase delivered standout performances, winning in 2:05:00 and 2:18:00 respectively. Strong times, even if they fall short of the world records often set on faster courses like those in Chicago.
The roll of honor features familiar names—Catherine Ndereba, Edna Kiplagat—multiple-time champions who defined eras. And then there is one persistent gap: no French medal in the marathon at the World Championships. A missing piece that stands out more and more as the discipline gains visibility.
| Toward an even bigger marathon?
This new championship raises a simple question: did the marathon need to break away? The answer is already unfolding on roads around the world. Balancing elite performance and mass participation, the distance occupies a unique space in modern sport—neither purely elite nor entirely grassroots.
By giving it its own stage, World Athletics is making a bold bet: turning a historic event into a global showcase in its own right. The challenge now will be to preserve the essence of the marathon—the quiet battle against distance, time, and sometimes oneself. One thing already feels certain. In 2030, in Athens, every stride will carry a little more weight than usual. A sense of history—and perhaps the beginning of a new era.
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
