World Athletics has decided to redefine the future of the marathon with a structural transformation that marks a turning point in long-distance running. Starting in 2030, the governing body will introduce an independent World Marathon Championship, permanently separating the discipline from the traditional World Athletics Championships and granting it its own place on the global calendar.

The decision not only reflects the sustained growth of the marathon as a sporting and social phenomenon, but also the need to give it an exclusive identity beyond elite performance. In this new landscape, Athens emerges as the leading candidate to host the inaugural edition, reinforcing its historical symbolism while advancing an ambitious modernization process aimed at repositioning the city at the center of global athletics.

A new model for the global marathon

The shift driven by World Athletics is significant: the marathon will remain part of the World Athletics Championships in 2027 and 2029, but from 2030 it will follow an independent path. From 2031 onwards, no road race will be included in the traditional championships, consolidating a departure from the traditional model designed to specialize the management, visibility, and development of these events.

This new World Marathon Championship will be held annually, with men’s and women’s competitions alternating each year, mirroring the current frequency of the existing format. The initiative has been developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders in the running ecosystem, recognizing that the marathon’s growth depends not only on elite athletes but also on millions of runners who have turned it into a global and cultural phenomenon.

Athens and the return to the origins of the marathon

At the same time, Athens is moving forward to become the inaugural host of this new era. Talks between World Athletics and the Hellenic Athletics Federation have led to a strategic partnership aimed at elevating the Athens Marathon The Authentic to the highest level of the international circuit, granting it Elite Label status.

The project includes a multi-year investment plan to modernize the original Olympic course while preserving its more than 2,500 years of history. With the support of the Attica Region, the goal is ambitious: to achieve Platinum Label status before 2029 and establish the city not only as the birthplace of the marathon, but also as its modern global capital, balancing tradition, innovation, and a world-class experience for runners worldwide.