World Athletics announces new championships historically dominated by Kenyans
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 08.04.26. | 15:00
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described the move as an opportunity to celebrate one of sport’s most iconic disciplines
Kenyan athletes are set to benefit from a major shake-up in global distance running after World Athletics unveiled plans to introduce a standalone World Marathon Championships from 2030.
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The move is part of a landmark strategic roadmap aimed at redefining the future of road running, with the marathon, which has long been a centrepiece of the traditional World Championships, set to branch off into its own dedicated global event.
Under the new structure, the marathon will still feature at the World Championships in 2027 and 2029. However, from 2030 onwards, it will be removed from the program entirely, with the new World Marathon Championships taking its place as a standalone competition. From 2031, no road running events will be included in the World Championships.
The newly created championships will be held annually, with men and women competing in alternate years, mirroring the current cycle used for the marathon at the World Championships.
This shift is expected to elevate the profile of marathon running while creating more focused opportunities for elite athletes, particularly from distance running powerhouses like Kenya.
The introduction of a dedicated global marathon event is likely to further cement Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running as it will offer athletes more chances to compete on the world stage and attract sponsorship, while also sharpening competition among the world’s best.
As part of the new direction, World Athletics has opened formal discussions for Athens to host the inaugural edition in 2030, an iconic choice given the city’s historic ties to the marathon.
In addition, a strategic partnership has been agreed between World Athletics and the Hellenic Athletics Federation, alongside the Region of Attica, to elevate the Athens Marathon to the highest tier of global road racing.
The race has already been awarded Elite Label status, recognising both its historical significance and its potential within the international calendar.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe described the move as an opportunity to celebrate one of sport’s most iconic disciplines.
“Few events in sport carry the weight and resonance of the marathon; it is both a test of the very highest performance and a celebration of mass participation.
This is an opportunity to create a dedicated global celebration of marathon running, held in a setting that honours its heritage while shaping a modern championship that reflects the scale and spirit of the global running community,” Coe said.
World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon echoed the sentiment, noting that Athens represents the spiritual home of the marathon and an ideal venue to launch the new championships.
Meanwhile, the World Athletics Road Running Championships will continue as a separate annual competition.
Organisers in Athens are already targeting further growth, with ambitions to upgrade the marathon to Platinum Label status by 2029, the highest classification in road racing.
The long-term plan includes modernising the historic route from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium while preserving its 2,500-year heritage.